26
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
double the amount of that for last year. The advantages of registration and weekly inspections
were clearly shewn in the condition of those admitted from the relief camps and those from
the list of public prostitutes. In the latter, the cases were slight and readily amenable to treat-
ment, whilst in the former the disease had progressed to a frightful extent.
The attendance of the women at the periodical examinations has been more regular.
As regards the 4 fatal cases, 2 were from cholera, 1 from cerebral disease, and 1 from
diabetes and extensive syphilitic disease.
In comparison with former years there has been a great improvement in the registration
of prostitutes, and with reference to the class admitted, there is still doubtless room for further
amendment. Some of them appear in a thoroughly broken-down state of health, the result of
repeated attacks of syphilis, combined with the effects of the treatment undergone in their native
villages.
Extract from the Annual Medical Report of the Lock Hospital, Wellington,
by Surgeon-Major W. H. CORBETT, M.D., A.M.D.
The extent of venereal disease among the European troops is shown by the subjoined
statement. The return of sickness among the soldiers has been regularly received weekly.
Statement showing the extent of various forms of Venereal Diseases among the European Troops in
the Cantonment of Wellington during the year 1877.
Regiment.
Period of
Occupation.
Average
Strength
during
Periodof
Occupation.
Number of Admissions from Venereal
Diseases during Period of
Occupation.
Ratio of Admis
-sions per
1,000 of Strength
for Period of
Occupation.
Convalescent
Depôt.
From 1st Jan.
to 31st Dec.
1877.
525.8
Primary syphilis ...
...
...
17
Gonorrhœa ...
...
...
...
33
Phymosis ...
...
..
...
...
Stricture ...
..
...
...
2
Warts
...
...
...
...
. . .
Orchitis, gonorrhœal
...
...
1
Secondary syphilis
...
...
14
Total ...
67
127.42
Deduct cases contracted at other
places
...
...
...
...
15
Balance number of cases contracted
at Wellington ...
...
...
52
There is no Cantonment Sub-Committee; the supervision of the rules is carried out by the
Cantonment Magistrate and the Medical Officer. The control of prostitution is specially under the
supervision of the Police; but as a "special measure," a written statement is taken from every
soldier when reporting sick, as to when, where, and from whom he contracted his illness. This
information is given to the Police Constable, who accompanies the man to the bazaar, and, if
possible, the woman is pointed out, when she is at once taken to the Lock Hospital and
examined, and if found diseased is admitted.
The registration, as far as I am able to judge, has been efficient; it extends to all classes of
women found practising prostitution. It extends over an area of upwards of five miles. There has
been an increase of prostitutes added to the register during the present year of 16 compared
with an increase of 10 during 1876; the cause I am unable to explain, but I do not believe it
due to any direct influence (at this station) by the famine. The women have attended pretty
regularly at the periodical examinations.
There has been a decrease of admissions during the year, viz., primary syphilis 39 in 1877
compared with 54 in 1876. Of gonorrhœa there have been 2 less admitted in 1877 than in 1876,
and the total admissions are considerably less, although the average strength has been greater.
Thus during 1876 there were 123 admissions and the average number of prostitutes was 39.86,
whereas in 1877 there have been 94 admissions with an average strength of 42.75. Venereal
disease has also become less virulent.
There is a relation between the venereal sickness contracted by the men and that treated in
the Lock Hospital. Thus, of 27 cases of primary syphilis treated among the soldiers during
1876, 16 diseased women were pointed out and treated in the Lock Hospital. Of 19 cases of
gonorrhœa 11 were pointed out and treated in the Lock Hospital, whereas during 1877 17 cases