368
quantity of opium compared
in the colony annually
1416, I suppose that there cannot be any exact statistics as to the consumption of opium in Hong Kong per head of the population I should think it would be possible to obtain fairly accurate statistics of the local consumption of the Colony.
1417. It could not be obtained ?-Oh, I think it can under the present system. I think I could perhaps obtain figures and furnish the Commission with them if it was considered desirable.
1418. The consumption per head of the Chinese ?—— Because every chest of opium that arrives in Hong Kong has to be accounted for; so that it is possible to show the amount that is consumed locally and the amount that is exported. So that I think if it is considered desirable those figures might be obtained.
*
death rate in the
colony among
Chinese & Nets
1389. In relation to the death rate at Hong Kong, would you be able to say that there was any distinct evidence that the returns are more unfavourable in the case of those who are consumers of opium than in the average of the population ?-The mortality statistics, of which I had charge, do not tend to show that any deaths result from opium-smoking. I do not think that I have ever had a return of a death registered as directly from opium-smoking. Of course, there are sometimes cases of opium poisoning--that is, swallowing opium, and poisoning themselves with it; in fact, that is not an uncommon form of getting rid of life. But so far as the death-rate of the Chinese is concerned in Hong Kong it is improving; that is, in 1888, the death-rate among the Chinese per 1,000 was 32·22; in 1892, it was 21·96; and there is nothing among our mortality statistics to show that opium is the cause of a high mortality in the Colony. Of course, I cannot say to what extent diseases which people die from may have rendered them liable to be caught on account of their indulgence in the habit; that of course I would not like to offer an opinion upon.
1414. Then the extraordinary improvement in the death-rates in Hong Kong, from 32·21 in 1888 to 21·96 in 1892 is quite independent of any fluctuation in what one may call the opium rate ?-Yes; I should not think the opium question affected the death-rate very much one way or the other. I think the improved sanitary works had more to do with the improved death-rate than anything to do with opium.
1415. As far as you know, opium has not affected the death-rate then ?-So far as the mortality returns go to show, we have no deaths attributed to opium-smoking.
1419. I think it might be interesting to have that information. And, of course, you have also vital statistics collected regularly; the death-rate could be got ?-The death-rate, certainly. My own annual report always gives the death-rate; and not only that, it gives the various diseases of which the people die; so that it could be seen.
1420. The point would simply be this, whether there is any correspondence between the death-rate and the opium rate; whether, when the opium rate rises--for I have no doubt there will be a certain oscillation, whether the death-rate oscillates correspondingly ?—I do not think there has been any oscillation in connexion between the death-rate and the opium rate.
368
quantity of opium compared
in the colony annually
1416, I suppose that there cannot be any exact statistics as to the consumption of opium in Hong Kong per head of the population I should think it would be possible to obtain fairly accurate statistics of the local consumption of the Colony.
1417. It could not be obtained ?-Oh, I think it can under the present system. I think I could perhaps obtain figures and furnish the Commission with them if it was considered desirable.
1418. The consumption per head of the Chinese ?—— Because every chest of opium that arrives in Hong Kong has to be accounted for; so that it is possible to show the amonnt that is consumed locally and t amount that is exported. So that I think if it is co sidered desirable those figures might be obtained.
*
death rate in the
colony among
Chinese & Nets
1389. In relation to the death rate at Hong Kong, would you be able to say that there was any distinct evidence that the returns are more unfavourable in the case of those who are consumers of opinn than in the average of the population P-The mortality statistics, of which I had charge, do not tend to show that any deaths result from opium-smoking. I do not think that I have ever had a return of a death registered as directly from opiam-smoking. Of course, there are sometimes cases of opium poisoning--that is, awallowing opium, and poisoning themselves with it; in fact, that is not an uncommon form of getting rid of life. But so far as the death-rate of the Chinese is concerned in Hong Kong it is improving; that is, in 1888, the death- rate among the Chinese per 1,000 was 82 22; in 1892, it was 21-96; and there is nothing among our mortality statistics to show that opium is the cause of a high mortality in the Colony. Of course, I cannot say to what extent diseases which peoplo die from may have rendered them liable to be caught on account of their indulgence in the habit; that of course I would not like to offer an opinion upon.
1414. Then the extraordinary improvement in the death-rates in Hong Kong, from 32 21 in 1888 to 82-21-36 in 1892 is quite independent of any fluctuation in what one may call the opium rate Yes; I should not think the opium question affected the death-rate very much one way or the other. I think the improved sanitary works had more to do with the improved death-rate than anything to do with opium.
1415. As far as you know, opium has not affected the death-rate then P-So far as the mortality returns go to show, we have no deaths attributed to opium- smoking.
1419. I think it might be interesting to have that in- formation. And, of course, you have also vital statistics collected regularly; the death-rate could be got -The death-rate, certainly. My own annual report always gives the death-rate; and not only that, it gives the various diseases of which the people die; so that it could be seen.
1420. The point would simply be this, whether there is any correspondence between the death-rate and the opium rate; whether, when the opium rate rises--for I have no doubt there will be à certain oscillation, whether the death-rate oscillates correspondingly ?—İ do not think there has been any oscillation in connexion between the death-rate and the opium rate.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.