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specimens and saw a number of Chinamen treated. The drug used was the Hydrochlorate of Morphia, the solution used contained 2.3 per cent. The injections made were equal to a grain each time. The patients began with two injections a day, and, after a month or two, increased the dose to four or five injections a day. The cost of each injection was one cent. It was evident therefore that there was no attempt at curing the habit of opium smoking except by the introduction of a very much worse habit of Morphia injection. To quote Mr. Crow's report:"The Chinese even buy Hydrochlorate "of Morphia locally at $2.50 per ounce. From this quantity 875 injections each containing half a grain of Morphia Hydrochlorate could be prepared. This would leave a profit of $6.25 on each ounce "at a charge of one cent for each injection. If only a of a grain were used at each injection the "profit could be about $10.00." On this report and one from myself being sent in, the Government at once passed an Ordinance to put a stop to this state of things, and the heavy fines inflicted took. away all the profits and soon put a stop to this new industry. I heard of a Chinese School Master who proposed to set up in this business, had sent home for 6 lbs. of Morphia with the appliances which would enable him to work the business at much greater profit and was greatly disgusted at his scheme being rendered abortive. I hear from the Chinese Customs that many thousands of ounces of Morphia are being imported at all the Coast Ports yearly. One mace a day is about the smallest consumed by opium smokers; it costs from 8 to 10 cents so the Chinese have learnt they can produce much greater effect much cheaper and get a large profit out of the business and for this information they are indebted from the mode of cure for the opium habit used at the Mission Hospitals. Wholly unnecessary, as I have shown by the Gaol reports for years that nothing is required to cure the habit and that without the smallest danger or inconvenience to the patient. It is evident from what has taken place here, many of these shops having set up in a few months, that this practice is taking root in China but I have seen no outcry about it as there has been about opium smoking which bar the expense it entails is a perfectly innocent habit and more so to my mind than tobacco smoking. The pay of the Assistant Analyst is very small and this is the reason for their all leaving directly there term is up.
When applying for the appointment of an Analyst originally, I showed that the Government when requiring an analysis has to pay from £50 to £100 for a single case to an outside
chemist.
The answers given to the questions forwarded by the Indian Opium Commission by Dr. ATKINSON, Dr. Lowson, Mr. Crow and myself are attached to this report.
One thing I wish to call attention to is the dangers of the yearly increasing wheeled traffic, for which no regulations have been made and from which year by year an increasing number of injuries are admitted into the Hospital within the last nine years. Rickshaws and one horse gharries plying for hire have been introduced, these are licensed but with the exception of the gharries pay no attention to the rule of the road, empty rickshaws plying for hire move about all over the street impeding the traffic and occasionally making rushes at any one who they think want them, without paying the slightest attention to the traffic round them, which is a frequent cause of collisions and accidents. But a new, more dangerous, and, as far as I know, unlicensed traffic in wheeled vehicles has enormously increased in the last twelve months, these are two and four wheeled hand barrows carrying heavy loads of bales of goods, furniture, large beams of wood, &c., &c., in charge of from three to six or eight coolies, which have been a frequent cause of very serious accidents, they pay no attention whatever to the rule of the road and the coolies in charge often rush them along at such a pace that they have lost all control over the vehicle and every one is obliged to clear out of the way or suffer injury. Daily these barrows are to be seen dashing down the hilly side streets into the broad and level thoroughfare of Queen's Road or the Praya at a pace that the coolies in charge have no control over and those pulling in front are bound to dash on or be run over by the vehicle themselves yet little or no notice is taken of them and no attempt made to put a stop to this dangerous practice; when some- body is smashed up the coolies are given in charge and a penalty is inflicted on them but with no further effect. This is in a sort a considerable danger to the public health and unless some lady in her chair or some one equivalent to a Bishop at home is smashed up and public indignation excited it seems likely to continue. In Shanghai the wheeled traffic is much greater, yet there seems no difficulty in regulating it most satisfactorily.
I have the honour to be,
The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Sir,
Your very obedient Servant,
PH. B. C. AYRES, C.M.G.,
Colonial Surgeon.
Acting Colonial Secretary,