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Report by Dr.Lowson.
Aco? 22 MAY 00:
Superintendent Gaol.
With regard to Rule 289 Section 19 anent
punishment of prisoners my opinion is that it should stand
as it is. The necessity for it occurs occasionally- for exam-
ple ulcers are very common in the Gaol and it sometimes
happens that old offenders (especially) tear off dressings
and irritate the sores so as to escape labour. The same
thing happens after self-inflicted injuries to escape labour
or punishment. In my experience internal European medicines
have never been refused by any Chinese prisoners, unless
malingering or insane. I should never force a prisoner to
take medicine internally unless to prove he was malingering
or was insane. The refusal of medicine is usually a good
test of malingering among Chinese. The rules is a necessary
one though granted that the Medical Officer should use
great judgement in reporting the matter. I do not consider
the hours of labour at present excessive, but I recommended
a somewhat longer interval in the middle of the day during
the hot summer months.
(Sd.) James A.Lowson.
9/3/1900.