181
hams and bacon were good in Amoy, but things generally were good in Havana; however, Havana was not to be compared to China.
Examination continued—He had not seen any of the passengers since he came ashore, but some are sick now. There are some of them who have died since arrival here. He attended four of the passengers himself, one died in eight days, but this was not from the disease, which was so fatal. The others lived for a month or so, but they none of them swelled up until towards the end, when death was approaching.
The captain here produced a bottle of his essence of lemon. The bottle was marked "Acida Citrico."
Dr. Adams remarked that it might be a very good thing, but the opinion of it in England was such that it was never given when real lime juice was obtainable.
The captain referred to a dictionary, where it was stated Citric acid was the same as essence of lemons.
In reply to Dr. Adams, the captain said he administered the acid, because he thought it would do good. He was obliged to have it on board. It was always carried on board of Italian and Spanish ships.
Dr. Adams wished to know if the eighteen hundred dollars worth of medicine, which was put on board, was according to contract?
It was explained that this lot of medicine was put on board simply by the liberality of the owners of the Italia, they were not compelled to supply it at all.
The captain here intimated that he would like Dr. Adams to examine his chests of medicine, and he would be prepared to forfeit any amount, if there was another ship so well found in this. After some further conversation, Mr. Keswick intimated that no further evidence would be taken, and that as soon as a decision in the matter was arrived at, the public journals would be notified.
The enquiry then terminated.
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, FEBRUARY 5TH, 1869.
DECISION
RESPECTING THE MORTALITY AMONG THE COOLIES ON BOARD THE "ITALIA."
ITALIAN CONSULATE.
30th January, 1869. In consequence of the mortality amongst the Chinese passengers by the ship Italia, on her voyage from Havana to this port, I deemed it my duty, as Italian Consul, to ascertain the cause thereof, for which purpose I held a Court of Enquiry at this consulate on the 27th and 28th instant, and was kindly assisted therein by Senor Don Tomas Ortuño, the Spanish Consul, (the captain and officers being Spanish subjects), and W. S. Adams, Esq., M.D.
The books of the vessel, list of stores and medicines, and record of daily distribution of same, were severally inspected and carefully examined; and Captain Raimundo Zulueta, Venancio Aranguren, 1st officer, Julian de Zulueta, 2nd officer, Agostin Lapiedra, one of the Chinese charterers, Roque and Toribio, Chinese passengers, and José Camacho, a doctor, were severally examined, and their evidence proved:
That the vessel was chartered by two Chinamen to carry Chinese passengers—the vessel to provide nothing but wood and water—the charterers providing provisions, medicines, and every necessary; that notwithstanding this the owners of the ship put on board a liberal supply of European medicines; that the captain made out for the charterers a list of the quantity of provisions which would be necessary; that these passed under his examination for approval before being put on board; were under his charge during the voyage, and were regularly served out under the supervision of himself or officers; that the provisions were abundant and of good quality; that many of the passengers were men of advanced age, and apparently of feeble frame; that many of them, accustomed for years to the warm climate of Havana, were but poorly provided with clothing to meet the change from heat to cold; that after leading a life of activity, and being accustomed to labor, they abandoned themselves to entire idleness, listlessness, and opium smoking; that about two months from the time they embarked a disease, apparently Scorbutus, of which none of the Chinese medical men had any professional knowledge, attacked the passengers, and carried them off rapidly; that there were nine Chinese on board who professed to understand medicine; but of whom seven were about the first to fall victims; that the captain and officers did everything in their power to afford relief, both by administering medicines and by showing every attention to the sufferers; and, finally, that the Italia was a clean, well-ordered, and well-ventilated ship.
DECISION.
After carefully weighing the evidence, I give it as my decision, that no blame whatever attaches to the captain, officers, or owners of the said ship Italia. My opinion is that the mortality is mainly to be attributed to the weakened constitutions of the passengers, many of whom were sickly and feeble at the time they embarked, and unable to endure the change from a hot to a cold climate, and also to the manner they abandoned themselves to a life of complete inactivity.
(Signed) W. KESWICK,
Acting Italian Consul.
We concur in the foregoing decision—
(Signed) T. ORTUÑO,
Spanish Consul.
(Signed) W. S. ADAMS, M.D., C.M.,
Health Officer of the Port, Surgeon to the Seamen's Hospital.
181
hams and bacon were good in Amoy, but things generally were good in Havana; however, Havaus was not to be compared to China.
Examination continued-He but not seen any of the passengers since he cane ashore, but some are sick now. There are some of them who have died since arrival her. He attended four of the passengers bitself, one died in eight days, but this was not from the disease, which was so fatal. The others lived for a month or so, but they none of them swelled ap until towards the end, when death was approaching.
The captain bere produced a bottle of his essence of lemon. The bottle was marked "Acida Citrico."
Dr. Adams remarked that it might be a very good thing, but the opinion of it in England was such that it was never given when real lime juice was obtainable.
The captain referred to a dictionary, where it was stuted Citric acid was the same as essence of lemons.
In reply to Dr. Adains, the captain said he administered the acid, because he thought it would do good. He was obliged to have it on board. It was always carried on board of Italian and Spanish ships.
Dr. Adams wished to know if the eighteen hundred dollars worth of medicine, which was put on board, was according to contract ?
It was explained that this lot of medicine was put on board simply by the liberality of the owners of the Italia, they were not compelled to supply it at all.
The captain here intimated that he would like Dr. Adams to examine his chests of medicine, an l he would be prepared to forfeit any amount, if there was another ship so well found in this. After some further conversation, Mr. Keswick intimated that no farther evidence would be taken, and that as soon as a decision in the matter was arrived at, the public journals would be notified.
The enquiry then terminated.
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, FEBRUARY 5TH, 1869.
DECISION
RESPECTING THE MOR- TALITY AMONG THE COOLIES ON BOARD THE "ITALIA."
ITALIAN CONSULATE.
30th January, 1869. In consequence of the mortality amongst the Chinese passengers by the ship Itala, on her voyage from Havant to this port, I deemed it my duty, as Italian Consul, to ascertain the cause thereof, for which purpose I held a Court of Enquiry at this consulate on the 27th and 28th instant, and was kindly assisted therein by Senor Dou Tomas Ortnuo, the Spanish Consul, the captain and officers being Spanish subjects), and W. S. Adams, Esq.
M.D.
The books of the vessel, list of stores and medicines, and record of daily distribution of same, were severally inspected and carefully examined; and Captain Raimundo Zulneta. Venancio Aranguren, 1st officer, Julian de Zulneta, 2nd officer, Agostin Lapiedra, one of the Chinese charterers, Roque and Toribio. Chinese passengers, and José Camacho, a doctor, were severally examined, and their evi dence proved :-
That the vessel was chartered by two China- men to carry Chinese passengers-the vessel to provide nothing but wood and water--the char. terers providing provisions, medicines, and every necessary; that notwithstanding this the owners of the ship put on board a liberal supply of European medicines; that the captain made ut for the charterers a list of the quantity of provisions which would be necessary; that these passed under his examination for approval be- fore being put on board; were under his charge during the voyage, and were regularly served out under the supervision of himself or officera; that the provisions were abundant and of good quality; that many of the passengers were men of advanced age, and apparently of feeble frame: that many of them, acenstoned for years to the warm climate of Havana, were but poorly pro- vided with clothing to meet the change from heat to cold; that after leading a life of activity, and being accustomed to labor, they abandoned themselves to entire idleness, listlessness, and opium smoking; that about two mouths from the time they embarked a disease, ap- parently Scorbutus, of which none of the Chi- nese medical men bad any professional know- ledge, attacked the passengers, and carried them off rapidly; that there were nine Chinese on board who professed to understand medicine; but of whom seven were about the first to fall victims; that the captain and officers did every- thing in their power to afford relief, both by ad- ministering medicines and by showing every st tention to the sufferers; and, finally, that the Italia was a clean, well ordered, and well ven- tilated ship.
DECISION.
After carefully weighing the evidence. I give it as my decision, that no blame whatever at- attaches to the captain, officers, or owners of the said ship Italia. My opinion is that the mortality is mainly to be attributed to the weak- ened constitutions of the passengers, many of whom were sickly and feeble at the time they embarked, and unable to enduro the change from a hot to a cold climate, and also to the manner they abandoned themselves to a life of complete inactivity.
(Signed) W. KESWICK,
Acting Italian Consul. We couenr in the foregoing decision-m
(Signed) T. ORTUNO,
Spanish Consul. (Signed) W. S. ADAMS, M.D., C.M.,
Health officer of the Port, Surgeon to the Seamen's Hospital,
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