LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
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M ay 1877 Dr. Rogers, the Medical Officer in charge of the hospital, brought to the
6otice of the Cantonment Magistrate that the three Policemen employed as detectives
were inefficient. Accordingly four intelligent Constables were appointed in their
room and the increase in registration is mainly attributable to their activity.. The
women were regular in their attendance at the weekly inspections and absentees
were, as a rule, sharply punished. The total number of women treated in the Lock
Hospitals in 1877 was 503 against 250 in 1876. Of the admissions in 1877 no
fewer than 282 were for primary syphilis ; the cases of gonorrhoea numbered 126,
the corresponding figures in 1876 being 143 and 98 respectively. The increase in
the number of admissions was due chiefly to new cases brought on the register,
ost of which were found diseased. The form of disease amongst registered,
' omen was mild and readily yielded to treatment, but amongst the newly registered
it was severe. Notwithstanding this activity in the registration of prostitutes
there was a decided increase in the number of admissions from venereal disease
:amongst the European troops. In 1876 the ratio of treated per 1,000 of strength
was 150 . 17, whereas in 1877 the rate rose to 177 . 83. The Medical Officers in
charge of European regiments and the Medical Officer of the Lock Hospital are of
opinion that this increase is mainly due to clandestine prostitution, which is
carried on to a large extent by women who frequent the rocks and other places of
concealment in the vicinity of the barracks. It is also stated that the men exhibit
a preference for unregistered prostitutes, and that when asked to point out the
individuals from whom they have contracted disease they usually name registered
'women, who, on examination, are often found to be free from disease. During 1877
53 women were thus brought up on the charge of communicating disease to soldiers,
only 19 of whom were on examination found to be diseased.
18. Thayetmyo.--In this cantonment there is a lal-bazaar, in which all
registered women are obliged to reside ; unfortunately, however, it is all but impos-
sible to prevent the British soldier from consorting with unregistered women in
other parts of the station. The local authorities seem to trust too much to this
segregation, which, to be effective must be combined with an active detective
agency determined to bring unlicensed women under control. On the 31 st
December 1877 there were 23 women on the register and during the year 34
fresh names were added to the list whilst 30 names were withdrawn. A monthly
Me of one rupee is levied from each
registered woman. The attendance at the
periodical inspections was satisfactory. During 1877 there were 50 admissions to
the Lock Hospital against 67 in 1876. Of the admissions in the former year 5 were
for primary syphilis and 32 for gonorrhoea. Amongst British troops in the station
there were 64 admissions from venereal diseases, of which 24 were cases of primary
syphilis and 35 of gonorrhœa. Regarding these admissions the Medical Officer of
the Lock Hospital remarks that, according to the returns received from British
hospitals, 23 of the 64 cases were contracted at other stations. He also states that
: clandestine prostitution is more or less prevalent in Thayetmyo, and that the
registered women assert that Burmans do not consort with them, their visitors
being chiefly natives of India and European soldiers. It appears that there are
not a few Madras women in Thayetmyo who carry on clandestine prostitution,
the necessity for whose registration is strongly advocated. At present, when
brought on the roll, they soon contrive to have their names removed and it is
therefore suggested that, when a women of this class has been convicted of prosti-
tution, her name should be retained on the register for a period of three mouths,
and that during that time she be subjected to periodical inspection.
19. Tonghoo.—On the 31st December 1877 there were 22 women on the
register. Inspections are made weekly. During the year 27 women were
reported. to the Magistrate for non-attendance. As a rule the women were found
free from disease. As in Thayetmyo, there is a considerable number of Madras
native women at this station and a fresh batch arrives with each relief of
European troops. These women consort with European soldiers and are believed
[ to be a fruitful source of disease. It is accordingly suggested that, when proved to
practise prostitution, they be brought on the register. There exists some difficulty,
however, in proving the fact that they consort with soldiers there being no.
European Inspector of Police to watch their movements. During 1877 there were
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