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MILITARY LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
Stations.
1881.
1882.
Admission rate
per 1,000
Strength.
Admission rate
per 1,000
Strength.
Bangalore
316.05
322.27
Bellary
397.75
394.90
Cannanore
161.88
138.02
Kamptee..
...
...
...
145.04
165.43
St. Thomas' Mount ...
195.59
148.54
Secunderabad...
...
...
2 4 7 . 3 9
262.43
Wellington ...
...
...
143.87
160.36
From these figures it appears, that in 1882 there was an increase in the preva-
lence of venereal complaints at Bangalore, Kamptee, Secunderabad and Wellington,
but a decrease at the other three stations. Another remarkable fact which the
abstract shows prominently is, the very great difference between the admission
rates at the several stations. Thus at Cannanore it was 138 . 02 per mille of
strength, while at Bellary there was a ratio of 394 .90, or more than 2½ times
greater. Bellary still retains the notoriety of showing the largest number of
admissions, but the rates were also very high at Bangalore and Secunderabad.
Whether these excessive rates in 1882 and previous years were due to the greater
prevalence at those than other stations of venereal complaints amongst the civil
population, it is difficult to say ; but it seems probable, looking at the continuity of
the phenomena, that this was one cause. It is further possible that race peculi-
arities and habits may have some influence on the prevalence of venereal diseases
amongst the people of certain districts of the country. Thus at Bellary and
Secunderabad the lower classes are mostly Telugu people, and Bangalore, although
strictly speaking in a Canarese District, is not much beyond the existing limit of
the Telugu country. The chief point in connection with this is the circumstance
that it has been said, that Telugu people show less dread of, and consequently suffer
more from venereal diseases, especially syphilis, than the other races of Southern
India. Of course this suggestion, as to the cause of the high rates of venereal
diseases amongst British troops at certain stations, cannot be stated with any
degree of certainty ; but it seems worthy of consideration and further enquiry.
Table C in Appendix shows the nature of the venereal complaints from which the
European soldier suffered in 1882, and in Table F information is given as to the
stational prevalence of these diseases during each of the past ten years. Tables
G and H show as usual the prevalence of venereal diseases at stations in which
Lock Hospitals were in operation and at those in which they did not exist.
9. Cost of Lock Hospital Patients.— The annual average cost per patient at
each station is given in the following statement :—
Stations.
1881.
1882.
Bangalore...
...
...
...
...
RS.
10
A.
10
P.
0
RS.
11
A.
15
P.
11
Bellary
...
...
...
12 7 10
7 13 1
Cannanore ...
...
...
...
...
14 11 3
10 0 4
Kamptee
...
...
...
...
37 0 2
33 7
1
St. Thomas' Mount
...
...
...
17 11 11
10 0 9
Secunderabad
... ...
4 3 2
5 4 0
Wellington ...
...
...
...
...
30 5 9
29 4 10
Average ...
11 8 0
9 14 0
The general average annual cost, it will be noted, was Rs. 9-14-0 against
Rs. 11-8-0 in 1881. Detailed information as to the charges will be found in Table.
I of Appendix and a statement of establishment is given in Table J.
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