Sessional_Paper_1885-1886 — Page 287

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VICTORIA GAOL.

The following figures give the number of admissions and the daily average number of prisoners for the past ten years.

There is a considerable decrease in both cases this

Total No. admitted

to Gaol.

year.

Daily average No.

of Prisoners.

1876,

...4,062

432.60

1877,

..3,964

395.22

1878,

..3,803

519.22

1879,

•

3,665

576.13

1880,

..3,530

575.25

1881,

..4,150

666.00

1882,

...3,498

622.00

1883,

..3,486

542.15

1884,

..4,023

552.00

1885,

..3,610

530.00

The above figures show a decrease in the number of admissions of nearly 400 as compared with 1884, with a decrease in the daily average of 22; but at times during the year the daily average was very high.

Table IX shews the number of admissions to the Gaol Hospital, the nationality, disease, and deaths. The number of cases admitted were sixty two less than in 1884, and the number of deaths two as compared with three in 1884.

Table X shews the number of cases of any importance treated in the cells. Every day there are numbers of petty complaints attended to that are not registered, also a number of malingerers and others that come up for examination or to be reported on as to their fitness for punishment.

Table XI shews the rate of sickness and deaths with the percentage to total admissions and daily average number of prisoners. In both cases this is very small, especially when the overcrowded state of the Gaol is taken into consideration, on which subject a Committee of Inquiry is now sitting to suggest a remedy if possible.

Table XIa shews the number of admissions to Hospital direct from the Courts; Europeans suffering chiefly from alcoholia, Chinese from debility or venereal disease.

Table XIb shews the number of opium smokers consuming one mace and upwards during the year; eighty altogether; of these twelve only were admitted to Hospital, seven of whom were suffering from debility but with no particular symptoms from the effects of opium; one from gonorrhoes, one from bubo and two from sprains; none had to be admitted owing to any effects from the deprivation of opium. Those suffering from debility were admitted as soon as received. No deaths occurred among the smokers of opium. The oldest opium smoker was 70 years of age and had been an opium smoker 52 years; his daily consumption being three mace; his weight on admission was 99 fbs. which increased to 105 lbs., by the end of his first month in Gaol, showing that 52 years of opium smoking had not much impaired his digestive powers.

One of greatest opium smokers who consumed 5 mace, was 56 years of age, and had been an opium smoker 36 years; his weight was 115 lbs. on admission, and 117 lbs. at the end of the first month of his sentence.

The only other smoker of 5 mace was 64 years of age, had been addicted to this troublesome vice years, weighed 100 lbs. on admission, was only in Gaol two weeks, and left with the same weight

32 he came in.

The lightest weight on admission was 80 lbs., 5 lbs. heavier than the lightest weight admitted last year; he was 32 years of age, had only been a smoker 4 years; his consumption being only 1 mace a day; he increased in weight 1 tb. in the first month, and was never under treatment for any cause.

These are a few queer facts for the anti-opium smoking Society to digest. That a man 70 years old, 52 years an opium smoker, consuming daily 3 mace (equivalent to 3 drams), increased his weight 6 lbs. in a month, shews that his digestive powers at any rate were not much affected by this terrible vicc. His daily consumption of opium by smoking was enough to kill twenty four men if eaten ; allowing the liberal dose of 10 grains to each, whereas 4 grains is given as a dose that would kill most men unaccustomed to its use in toxological works. Half a pint of gin is given as the smallest dose ever known to kill an adult;-fancy a man consuming 12 pints of gin a day for 52 years.

It is curious how small has been the success of Europeans in introducing drunkeness amongst the Chinese, compared with their success amongst nearly every other race. Perhaps it is as well that the Chinese have chosen the lesser vice of opium smoking. Of 32 Europeans admitted to the Govern ment Hospital, 6 were admitted suffering more or less from symptoms of Delirium Tremens. Of 221 Chinese admitted to Hospital 7 were suffering from debility, who were opium smokers: this is the