R
CHINESE.
NATIVES OF INDIA,
1:15
1:07
1.59
2:35
Average daily consumption.
Average daily consumption.
Average daily consumption.
Townships.
REMARKS.
Myaungmys
Einme...
BUEMANS.
1909-10.
1910-11.
1909-10.
1910-11.
1909-10.
1910-11.
#
i
Wakema...
Moalmeingyun
06.7
18.9
Annas.
Annas.
Annas.
Annas.
09-8
3:47
£9.9
48.8
:
4:0
Average for district
3.14
2.90
99.6
09-8
0.2
6'7
99.9
5:38
4:54
$6.9
88-2
1:04
06.-
01.9
1 anna worth 111 graina opium.
CUI
#
180 grains.
1.07
1.16
1:17
141
on
8
9
No. 1112, dated the 24th May 1911.
From-CAPTAIN P. K. TARAPORE, L.M.S., Superiuteadent, Central Jail, Mandalay,
To-The Inspector General of Civil flospitals, Burma.
In reply to your Medical Department No. 0586-Confidential, dated the 12th of May 1911, I have the honour to submit the following observations.
2. Nu cocaine consumers have come under my notice, nor cau any record be found during the last 5 years. My remarks therefore apply only to consumers of opium. The majority of the latter are opium eaters, a very few-iz., some Chinamen coming from the Shan States-are smokers of opium. Morphia "injectors are extremely rare in this jail, only one or two having come under my observation amongst prisoners transferred here from Rangoon.
3
3. The amount of opium consumed varies a good deal. Unfortunately one has to depend on the statement of the prisoner himself as to the quantity taken. Most men state that they consume between 2 and 6 annas worth of opium a day. A few prisoners corning from Lashio and neighbouring places have stated that they took as much as a rapee's worth of crude opium
a day,
4. I might mention that opium eating is rare among Burmans generally. Most of the prisoners who consume opium come from the hills, viz., Kachins, Chins, Shans and Chinamen. As a general rule, the more Chinese a prisoner is, the more he seems addicted to the habit.
5. With regard to the effects of opium on the prisoners, I am enclosing a statement of sickness and mortality of this Jail for the last 5 years, with special reference to opium eaters. From this statement it will be clearly seen that opium eaters have generally a larger admission percentage to hospital and a very large mortality percentage. Besides, this statement does not show the number of prisoners we have amongst the various "
We have had to open gange a special "Kachin Gang" in this jail where the hill tribes-who are opium eaters-are looked after and practically nursed to keep them from getting ill. I may sum up my experience of opium eaters thus
While these fellows are under the influence of the habit, they are not much use for hard physical work, they require locking after, particularly during changes of seasons. They are very liable to bowel complaints. Once ill, they seem to have very poor recuperative powers. When once the habit is broken-and this is done gradually in this jail-they get better in every respect; they lose the pale earthy colour visible in the skins of opium consumers, they get brighter, more active and are capable of doing hard work, as much as any other prisoners. I must also admit that the picture drawn is one from amongst the prisoners who used to consume opium in excess prior to coming to jail. All opium consumers are not equally bad. But 1 have noticed that whether the opium was consumed in moderation or in excess, the subject was liable to get bowel complaints easily, even for some considerable time after the habit was
broken off.
479
aw
Ved