MILITARY LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
15
been received from the Police authorities, nor have the scale of punishments inflicted been
made known. Representation on this important subject has been made to the Superintendent
of Police.
Dhais have not been employed. It is a matter for regret that the Police are not more
active in detecting women who carry on clandestine prostitution, of whom there must be a
greater number than 30 for the three stations which come under the head of St. Thomas' Mount.
If some reward were offered, probably women would come forward and register themselves
especially when diseased. An instance occurred during the year under report in which an
East Indian woman sought admission to the Lock Hospital for treatment, suffering from
gonorrhœa and chancre of a virulent type. This woman is not on the register, but undoubtedly
should be, the reasons given for her not being registered are that the Police had no authority
for recording her name. This woman was four months in hospital, and on discharge left the
station and her place of residence is unknown to the Police.
Another instance was brought to my notice very recently of a cook woman being charged
with giving disease to a fellow servant. The Police inquired into the case and stated that
there was no authority for their interference.
Extracts from the Annual Medical Report of the Lock Hospital, Belgaum,
by Surgeon-Major R. P. FERGUSON.
I consider that the Lock Hospital exercises a most beneficial effect in preventing the
spread of venereal disease amongst the European troops.
One hundred and fifty-five cases of gonorrhea occurred, 11 of which. were imported from
other stations ; fifty-nine cases of primary syphilis, 7 of which came from other stations. Eleven
cases of secondary syphilis occurred, but in all cases the disease was of old standing. No case of
primary syphilis occurring last year has as yet been followed by secondary disease.
The Military Police have strict orders to prevent women from loitering about the barracks
after dusk. No female servants are allowed to remain in barracks after dusk. I am not aware
that any cases of the above have been reported to the Cantonment Magistrate.
No change has been made in the hospital accommodation during the year. The building
is suitable in every way.
The building is quite private and divided into several small wards. The inspection-room
is a separate apartment ; the doors and windows closed with lined chicks, so as to be absolutely
private. No segregation has been practised.
I consider an extension of the rules beyond the present area desirable, and to prevent the
spread of disease or its importation into Cantonment, if the Cantonment Magistrate has absolute
jurisdiction in the case of any woman found carrying on prostitution beyond the prescribed area
and over those in the Native state villages.
I find that discipline is easily maintained. An offender is at once removed by the Police,
two of whom are always present in the hospital. I have had no trouble.
The Police have been decidedly of service in carrying out the rules.
I consider that absentees from the periodical examination should be at once produced
by the Police, as soon as reported, and sent to the Lock Hospital for examination, or at least
that information within twenty-four hours should be sent to me as to whether they are to be
found or not. These women are presumably diseased and absent themselves from examination
in order to avoid detention in hospital. I am not satisfied that sufficient exertions are made by
the Police for the capture and production of absentees, and I have more than once addressed
the Cantonment Magistrate on that subject. I have no doubt but that venereal disease is
spread by these women who avoid inspection, and that much harm is done before they are
apprehended.
" The Cantonment Committee consider the report of the Lock Hospital to be satis-
factory and that the Superintendent of Police has taken the necessary steps, and issued the
requisite instructions to remedy the complaint made by the officer in charge regarding certain
prostitutes absenting themselves from examination. At the same time the Committee find
that these women evade the Police by entering the Native states in the neighbourhood,
and suggest that the Government should take such steps as they may deem necessary to
put a stop to this practice."
Opinion of the General Officer Commanding Belgaum on the above.
I concur in the remarks made by the Cantonment Committee.
Some of the Native states being within a very short distance from Belgaum, the law
can easily be evaded by persons desirous of doing so. I therefore consider that the powers
of the Cantonment Magistrate should be enlarged or else arrangements should be made
with the rulers for giving up offenders of this class.