CO129-262 - Governor Sir Robinson Acting Governor O-Brien - 1894 [1-4] — Page 33

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

The remarks are more condemnatory of Opium-smoking, even in moderation, than was expected to come from Hongking.

The Opium Farmer (no. 24) strongly opposes the habit; another witness says the Farmer is himself a confirmed smoker.

Evidence is perhaps vitiated by the fact that he also supports, as a substitute for the Opium Revenue, a Gambling Farm which he thinks would be more profitable to himself.

Dr Ayres, Col. Surgeon (no.36) is a strong pro-Opiumist, and an occasional smoker himself; his extravagant views of the benefits of opium-smoking should be read along with Dr Ho Kai's (no. 44) scientific and careful statements on the other side.

The estimate of the number of opium smokers in China is put by the Chinese Custom Returns at 2 per thousand.

The Annual Reports of the Opium Smokers in this Colony show that among the Criminal Population, smokers are under 2 per thousand.

Of the European witnesses, Dr Eitel (39) and Dr Chalmers (53) bring more knowledge and judgment to the subject than any others.

Dr Eitel observes that in his opinion, all conjectures as to the proportion of smokers to population are misleading.

According to Table XVI of the Medical Report for 1891, there were during that year 56 prisoners who reported themselves as opium smokers to the Medical Officer, whose weights for the first four weeks of confinement are recorded.

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The remarks are more condemnatory of Opium-smoking, even in moderation, than was expected to come from Hongking. The Opium Farmer (no. 24) strongly opposes the habit; another witness says the Farmer is himself a confirmed smoker. Evidence is perhaps vitiated by the fact that he also supports, as a substitute for the Opium Revenue, a Gambling Farm which he thinks would be more profitable to himself. Dr Ayres, Col. Surgeon (no.36) is a strong pro-Opiumist, and an occasional smoker himself; his extravagant views of the benefits of opium-smoking should be read along with Dr Ho Kai's (no. 44) scientific and careful statements on the other side. The estimate of the number of opium smokers in China is put by the Chinese Custom Returns at 2 per thousand. The Annual Reports of the Opium Smokers in this Colony show that among the Criminal Population, smokers are under 2 per thousand. Of the European witnesses, Dr Eitel (39) and Dr Chalmers (53) bring more knowledge and judgment to the subject than any others. Dr Eitel observes that in his opinion, all conjectures as to the proportion of smokers to population are misleading. According to Table XVI of the Medical Report for 1891, there were during that year 56 prisoners who reported themselves as opium smokers to the Medical Officer, whose weights for the first four weeks of confinement are recorded. Page 31 GR1178/1922/32(III) ...
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condemnatory of Opium-smoking, Even in moderation, than Sexpected to came from Hongking. The Opium Farmer (no. 24) strongly opposes the habit- & another witness says the Farmer is hunself OKL confirmed smoker int his Evidence is perhaps vitiated by the fact that he theme supports, as a substitute for the Opium Revenue, a Sambling Farm which he thinks to would be more profitable & ? to himself govemment Dr Ayres, Col. Surgeon (no.36) strongest bro-Opiumist, & an occasional but his extravagant Smoker himself; views of the mare 31 becaus opium smokers to population only futile but mischievous beca The conjectures beat suming misleading. at any rate verz varied, and from about 10 to 70 percent of the adult male Chinese according the different witnesses. On this point Dr Agres seems makes tome E very statement which vij. nower to Question 12) Janow Question (at end of arou is the 4 the benefits of opium - Smoking dalong with Dr Ho Kais should be read views in the other side (no. 44) ;; & scientific & careful with the more statements of the Government Analyst W. (row (no. 404). There is verz M # The estimate put the number China is put by the smokers in China Chinese Custon Returns at 2 per Ihmoand, t uny Annual Reports the opener Show that among the Criminal "Population in this Colony Smokers are under 2 per thousand; little other medical. Boxf Saridence of of the European witnesses, Dr Eitel (39) muchweift + D: Chalmers (53) Wing to the subject more knowledge & judgment than any others I think to (0. Eitel's last sentence but one is rather mysteriously cut short at the "and" but its meaning can word and (quene) D. Eitel observes that in his opinion all conjectures as the proportion of Mpulation, to Table X16. of There the According the Medical Report for 1891 were during that year win Saol 56 prismers who reported themselves onim smokers to the me mace. whose weights to for first four weeks of comfinement are recorded To begin with, it wille in this table. Misisgusted from Lodz of "the report "Extent of on per diem," &
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condemnatory of Opium-smoking, Even in moderation, than Sexpected to came from Hongking.

The Opium Farmer (no. 24) strongly opposes the habit- & another witness says the Farmer is hunself

OKL

confirmed smoker

int his

Evidence is perhaps vitiated by the fact that he theme supports, as a substitute for the Opium Revenue, a Sambling Farm which he thinks

to would be more profitable

& ? to himself govemment Dr Ayres, Col. Surgeon (no.36) strongest bro-Opiumist, & an occasional but his extravagant Smoker himself;

views of the

mare

31

becaus

opium smokers to population

only futile but mischievous beca

The conjectures

beat suming

misleading.

at any

rate

verz

varied,

and

from about 10 to 70 percent of the adult male Chinese according

the different witnesses. On this point

Dr Agres

seems

makes tome

E

very

statement which vij.

nower to Question 12)

Janow

Question (at end of arou

is the

4

the benefits of opium - Smoking dalong with Dr Ho Kais

should be read

views in the other side (no. 44) ;; & scientific & careful

with the more

statements of the Government Analyst

W. (row (no. 404). There is verz

M

#

The estimate put

the number

China is put by the

smokers in China

Chinese Custon Returns at 2 per Ihmoand, t

uny

Annual Reports

the opener

Show that among the Criminal "Population in this Colony

Smokers are under 2 per thousand;

little other medical.

Boxf

Saridence of

of the European witnesses, Dr Eitel (39) muchweift

+ D: Chalmers (53) Wing to the subject

more knowledge & judgment than

any

others I think

to (0. Eitel's last sentence but one

is rather mysteriously cut short at the "and" but its meaning can

word and

(quene)

D. Eitel observes that in his opinion all conjectures as the proportion of

Mpulation,

to Table X16. of

There

the

According

the Medical Report for 1891

were during

that year

win

Saol 56 prismers who reported themselves onim smokers to the

me mace.

whose weights to for first four weeks of comfinement are recorded To begin with, it wille in this table.

Misisgusted from Lodz of "the report

"Extent of on

per diem," &

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