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habits. This man appeared to be thoroughly sincere in his answers to the questions put to him. 7. Merchants, labourers, and artisans smoke opium, but in the absence of statistics it is impossible to say what proportion is addicted to the habit. As far as my experience will enable me to deal with this question I cannot say that their efficiency is in any way affected, except in the case of the lower class of Chinese who is in a financially poor position. A Chinaman to smoke opium does not stint himself of the necessaries of life.
A poor coolie does, consequently his health suffers, and therefore his efficiency. A good one is not as it would be had he not acquired the smoking habit. Then again, too many of the ignorant poor fly to small doses of opium or morphine internally or to injection.