CO129-262 - Governor Sir Robinson Acting Governor O-Brien - 1894 [1-4] — Page 177

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

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moderate use of alcohol and that of opium. The former is in many cases distinctly beneficial but the latter baneful. Alcohol is in all instances an article of food and a stimulant but opium a drug and a powerful poison. This is my impartial judgment, and I am a total abstainer both from alcohol and opium. On the other hand the evil effect, both morally and physically, on the Chinese arising from the abuse of alcohol is fully commensurate with those from the abuse of opium. The evil effect of over-indulgence in alcoholic drinks on the weak and sedate constitution of the Chinese are most pronounced. Among Europeans I have observed many bad examples, but some of the worst, I believe, are to be found among the Chinese. Happily the abuse of alcohol among the Chinese is comparatively rare, and the worst cases are those who have either been abroad or to the Coast Ports, and contracted the habit elsewhere other than at home.

The Chinese public universally condemn opium smoking as degrading and injurious, and this opinion is shared by many of the smokers themselves, and I have noticed with wonder and amusement that some few of them were enthusiastic supporters of anti-opium society. The opinions of Chinese ladies on this subject are especially strong and well worth a hearing, as they are in all instances the actual though innocent sufferers. The habitual over-indulgence in intoxicating liquors is not common among the Chinese, so that in the mind of a Chinaman, there can be no comparison between that habit and the habit of opium-smoking. The former he regards with indifference or amusement, the latter with pain and aversion.

Yes, but only very few. Those who voluntarily and without compulsion attempt and succeed, I should regard as something more than human.

If the supply of Indian opium were to be cut off, opium consumers here would simply supply themselves with it from elsewhere, from the mainland of China for example. Some few may take to alcohol, but not likely. A good number would try to relieve their cravings by taking morphia, or the various preparations of morphine, either by subcutaneous injection or by the mouth, and some who would attempt the difficult task of curing themselves of the habit altogether.

I am firmly of opinion that the mere stoppage of supply of opium from India by itself does not stop the opium habit among the Chinese, but the Chinese Government must operate, and that earnestly and faithfully, allowing no officials, either high or low, under any...

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175 9 moderate use of alcohol and that of opium. The former is in many cases distinctly beneficial but the latter baneful. Alcohol is in all instances an article of food and a stimulant but opium a drug and a powerful poison. This is my impartial judgment, and I am a total abstainer both from alcohol and opium. On the other hand the evil effect, both morally and physically, on the Chinese arising from the abuse of alcohol is fully commensurate with those from the abuse of opium. The evil effect of over-indulgence in alcoholic drinks on the weak and sedate constitution of the Chinese are most pronounced. Among Europeans I have observed many bad examples, but some of the worst, I believe, are to be found among the Chinese. Happily the abuse of alcohol among the Chinese is comparatively rare, and the worst cases are those who have either been abroad or to the Coast Ports, and contracted the habit elsewhere other than at home. The Chinese public universally condemn opium smoking as degrading and injurious, and this opinion is shared by many of the smokers themselves, and I have noticed with wonder and amusement that some few of them were enthusiastic supporters of anti-opium society. The opinions of Chinese ladies on this subject are especially strong and well worth a hearing, as they are in all instances the actual though innocent sufferers. The habitual over-indulgence in intoxicating liquors is not common among the Chinese, so that in the mind of a Chinaman, there can be no comparison between that habit and the habit of opium-smoking. The former he regards with indifference or amusement, the latter with pain and aversion. Yes, but only very few. Those who voluntarily and without compulsion attempt and succeed, I should regard as something more than human. If the supply of Indian opium were to be cut off, opium consumers here would simply supply themselves with it from elsewhere, from the mainland of China for example. Some few may take to alcohol, but not likely. A good number would try to relieve their cravings by taking morphia, or the various preparations of morphine, either by subcutaneous injection or by the mouth, and some who would attempt the difficult task of curing themselves of the habit altogether. I am firmly of opinion that the mere stoppage of supply of opium from India by itself does not stop the opium habit among the Chinese, but the Chinese Government must operate, and that earnestly and faithfully, allowing no officials, either high or low, under any...
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ין 175 9 moderate use of alcohol and that of opium. The former is in is in many eases distinctly bene- ficial but the latter baneful. Aleshol in all instances. is an article of food and a stimulant but opium a drug and a powerful poison. This my impartial judgment, and I am a total abstainer both from alcohol and m opium. On the other hand the evil effect, both morally and phypically, on the Chinese aris- ing from the abuse of alcohol fully commen - surate with those from the abuse of opium. The evil effect of over indulgence in alcoholic # drinks on the weak and sedale constitution of the Chinese are most pronounced. Among Europeans I have observed many bad examples, but some of the worst, I beleive, are to be found among the Chinese. Happily the abuse of alcohol among the Chinese is comparatively rare, and the worst cases are those who have either been a - broad or to the boast Ports, and contracted the habit elsewhere other than at home. con The Chinese public universally demn opium smoking as degrading and inju- rious, and this opinion is shared by many of the smokers themselves, and I have noticed with wonder and amusement that - some few an anti- of them were enthusiastic supporters of opium society. The opinions of Chinese ladies on this subject are especially strong and well m worth a hearing, as they 6 are in all instances the 10 the actual though innocent su The habitual over liquors is not common ing sufferers. -indulgence in intoxicat- among. the Chinese, oping so that in the mind of a bhinaman, there can be no comparison between that habit and the habit of opium-smoking. The former he regards with indifference or amusement, the latter with pain and aversion. Yes, but only very few. Those who volun- tarily and without compulsion attempt and succeed, I should regard as something more than human. If the supply of Indian opium were to be cut off, opium consumers here would sim- ply supply themselves with it from elsewhere, from the main land of China for example. Some few may take to alcohol, but not likely. good number would try to releive their us cravings by taking morphia, or the various preparations of morphine, either by subcuta neous injection or by the mouth, and some wh would attempt the difficult task of curing themselves of the habit altogether. <dt> I am firmly of opinion that the mere stoppage of supply of opuum from India by self, does not stop the opium habit among, the Chinese, but the Chinese Government must operate, and that earnestly and faithfully, allowing no officials, either high or low, under Co- any
2026-05-27 09:16:17 · Baseline
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ין

175

9

moderate use

of alcohol and that of opium. The former is in

is in many eases distinctly bene- ficial but the latter baneful.

Aleshol

in all instances.

is an article of food and a stimulant

but opium a drug and a powerful poison.

This

my impartial judgment, and I am

a total abstainer both from alcohol and m opium. On the other hand the evil effect, both morally and phypically, on the Chinese aris- ing from the abuse of alcohol fully commen - surate with those from the abuse of opium. The evil effect of over indulgence in alcoholic # drinks on the weak and sedale constitution of the Chinese

are most pronounced. Among Europeans I have observed many bad examples, but some of the worst, I beleive, are to be found among the Chinese. Happily the abuse of alcohol among the Chinese is comparatively rare, and the worst cases are those who have either been a - broad or to the boast Ports, and contracted the habit elsewhere other than at home.

con

The Chinese public universally demn opium smoking as degrading and inju- rious, and this opinion is shared by many of the smokers themselves, and I have noticed with wonder and amusement that

-

some few

an anti-

of them were enthusiastic supporters of opium society. The opinions of Chinese ladies on this subject are especially strong and well m worth a hearing, as they

6

are in all instances

the

10

the actual though innocent su

The habitual over liquors is not common

ing

sufferers. -indulgence in intoxicat-

among.

the Chinese,

oping

so that

in the mind of a bhinaman, there can be no comparison between that habit and the habit of opium-smoking. The former he regards with indifference or amusement, the latter with pain and aversion.

Yes, but only very few. Those who volun- tarily and without compulsion attempt and succeed, I should regard as something more

than human.

If the supply of Indian opium were

to be cut off, opium consumers here would sim- ply supply themselves with it from elsewhere, from the main land of China for example. Some few may take to alcohol, but not likely. good number would try to releive their us cravings by taking morphia, or the various preparations of morphine, either by subcuta

neous injection or by the mouth, and some wh would attempt the difficult task of curing themselves of the habit altogether.

<dt>

I am firmly of opinion that the mere stoppage of supply of opuum from India by self, does not stop the opium habit among, the Chinese, but the Chinese Government must

operate, and that earnestly and faithfully, allowing no officials, either high or low, under

Co-

any

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