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9. It appeared to me desirable to have ocular proof of this practice. Accord- ingly accompanied by Mr. CHAU KAM-TSÜN, one of my assistants, I went to No. 87, Queen's Road West, yesterday morning. I directed him to go upstairs and ask the man in charge if he would allow me to visit his establishment. No objection being offered, I entered and observed three men asleep on mats, and about 12 or 15 standing in the verandah. Some of the men, I was informed, had just had injections; the others were waiting their turn. There were numerous puncture scars on their arms. I saw two operations performed. In one case about 15 minims, and in the other case about 20 minims were injected. The operator informed me that there was a limit as to the number of minims he injected and that the quantity used depended on the amount of opium his patients had been in the habit of smoking. The Syringe used was a good instrument of American manufacture. The operation was performed in the usual way and after each injection the needle was wiped with a dirty rag. The operator said, he prepared the solution himself from a powder purchased at a European Pharmacy and showed me an empty bottle labelled "Muriate of Morphine, Poison."
10. I may here mention that this injecting business is a profitable undertaking. I understand the Chinese can buy Hydrochlorate of Morphine locally at $2.50 per ounce (437.5 grains). From this quantity 875 injections each containing half a grain of Morphine Hydrochlorate could be prepared. This would leave a profit of $6.25 on each ounce of Morphine at a charge of 1 cent for each injection. If 3rd of a grain were used at each injection the profit would be about $10.00.
11. There can be no two opinions as to the baneful nature of this practice, and no effort should be spared to stop it forthwith.
12. The Ordinance should be made as sweeping as possible. A saving clause in favour of practitioners registered under Ordinance No. 6 of 1884 would, I presume, be necessary. Native practitioners holding diplomas granted by the College of Medicine for Chinese should not be exempted from the operation of the Bill. Having regard to the profitable character of the business, as set forth in paragraph 10, the temptation to take up the practice of injecting Morphine would be great indeed.
13. At the same time something should, I think, be done to relieve the sufferings of those now having injections if the practice is made illegal. These men will be in a terrible state when the injections are discontinued.
14. Would it not be possible to supply from this Department some powerful stimulant and tonic such as Cinchona and Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia to all victims of the injection habit on application?
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15. These wretched creatures will not be able to satisfy the inevitable craving by a return to opium smoking. I said to the man CHU A YEE on the 29th ultimo Why don't you stop it? You will die if you go on at this rate.' He replied "How can I? I am a poor man and can't afford to buy opium for smoking. I smoke opium again it will cost me twice as much as it did before."
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16. Poverty on the one hand and the exorbitant charge made by the Opium Farmer for the smoking extract on the other are in my opinion the chief causes of the introduction of this practice.
The COLONIAL SURGEON,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
W. EDWARD CROW, Government Analyst.