6
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
per mile were due to primary syphilis. The type of the diseases presenting is said
to have been mild. Amongst the troops there was a decrease in the amount of
venereal disease, the ratio of admissions per mile of strength having fallen from
247.66 in 1879 to 191.26 in 1880. The cases of primary syphilis amongst the men
were in the ratio of 402. per mile of total admissions for venereal complaints.
12. Kamptee.—At Kamptee the average number of prostitutes on the register
was 59.32 against 52.67 in 1879 ; 15 names were added to, and 9 removed from,
the register. The average daily sick was 9.21 against 10.18 in the previous year,
and of the total admissions 220 per male were for primary syphilis. The type of
disease is reported to have been almost invariably mild. Amongst the troops there
was a decline in the prevalence of venereal diseases, the ratio of admissions per mille
of strength having decreased from 291.90 in 1879 to 163.63 ; but of these admissions
333 per mille were cases of primary syphilis.
13. St. Thomas' Mount.—In this cantonment the working of the Lock Hospital
was very unsatisfactory, so far as its operation tended towards the protection
of the troops from disease. The average number of women on the register in the
year under review was 64.08 against 64.66 in 1879. Of the total admissions into
the Lock Hospital, 222.0 per mile were cases of primary syphilis, and the average
daily sick was 31.08 in 1880 against 12.74 in the previous year. Amongst the
troops there was a large increase in venereal disease, the ratio of admissions per
mile of strength having increased from 379.08 in 1879 to 468.02. Of the total
admissions amongst the men for this class of diseases, 416 per mile were cases of
primary syphilis.
14. Secunderabad.—Although registration was active at this station, the results
were not encouraging. The average number of women on the roll in 1880 was
304.76 against 292.47 in 1879, and while 108 names were withdrawn 128 were
brought on the register. The average daily sick in the Lock Hospital in 1880
numbered 38.83 against 42.53 in 1879, and the admissions 754 in the former against
743 in the latter year. These figures, viewed in connection with the increase of
registered women and of venereal disease amongst the troops, would seem to indicate
that in 1880 there was diminished activity in the detection and bringing of diseased
women on the register to hospital, and that some of the patients were detained there
for too short periods to admit of a complete cure of their ailments. At all events
there was a great increase of venereal disease amongst the troops, the admissions
per 1,000 of strength having risen to 329.24 in 1880 from 238.88 in the previous year.
Of these admissions, 317, or 380.5 per mille of the total, were due to primary syphilis.
15. Wellington .—At this hill depot the average number of women on the regis-
ter increased from 40.64 in 1879 to 43.44 in the period under notice, while the
average daily sick in the Lock Hospital stood at 6.31 in the latter against 15.41
in the former year. The admission rate amongst the troops for venereal disease in
the year under review was more favorable than in 1879, the ratio per thousand
of strength having been 185.68 in the former against 202.95 in the latter period. Of
the admissions for venereal complaints, 33, or 344. per mile, of the total were cases
of primary syphilis.
16. General Remarks.—In four stations there was a decline in the average num.
ber of women on the register and in three a slight increase. There was also a
decrease in admissions, which is partly accounted for by the closure of one of the
hospitals. Primary syphilis was very prevalent amongst the women, the ratio of cases
per 1,000 of total admissions having been 426.16 against 388.59 in 1879, As regards
European troops, the influence of the protective organization is not apparent, as in
three of the larger stations at which Lock Hospitals existed there was an increase and
in the other four but an inconsiderable decrease, in venereal diseases. Taking the
whole force at stations having Lock Hospitals the admission rate per 1,000 men
for venereal complaints was 324.09 against 311.13 in 1879—a result which is not
encouraging. With reference to the more dangerous forms of disease, it is observed
that at three stations there was an increase and in the four remaining ones a decrease
in the ratio of admissions for primary syphilis. In connection with this it may be