8
ANNUAL IMPORT ON THE
elude detection, and that only the sickly and infirm, who court a refuge in hospital,
fall into the hands of the detective agency.
13. Cannanore.—Registration was more active in 1878 than in 1877, the
results during the two years having been as follows.:—
1878.' 1877.
Remained on register on 1st January
. . .
. . .
. . .
3 6
34
Registered during the year ... ... ...
2 4
15
Remained on the register on 31st December
... ...
58
36
In 1878, therefore, there was an increase of 9 in fresh registrations and of
22 in the number on the roll at the close of the year. Only 2 removed their
names or absconded. The increase in registered prostitutes is attributed to the
immigration of diseased women from the Mysore country, where famine was
prevalent. The attendance at the weekly examinations is said to have been most
irregular. The admissions into the Lock Hospital in 1878 numbered 156, and were,
therefore, 67 in excess of those in 1877. The following is an abstract of the cases
of the two chief forms of venereal disease treated in the Lock Hospital, during the
past two years :—
1878.
1877.
Primary syphilis
...
...
...
. . .
...
. . .
15
8
Gonorrhœa
...
...
. . .
...
. . .
. . .
. . .
43
34
Both forms of disease show an increase in 1878. The results under the same
headings amongst British troops were as follows :—
1878. 1877.
Primary syphilis
...
...
...
...
...
... 38
6
Gonorrhœa
...
...
...
...
...
...
... 51
33
These figures require no comment, but it may also be remarked, that the rate
per mille of admissions to strength for venereal diseases generally in 1878 was
156.68, while in the preceding year the ratio was 74.01. Such a state of matters
calls for most strenuous efforts on the part of the detective agency. It is stated
in extenuation that serious difficulties have to be contended with in bringing
clandestine prostitution under control. " Many of the women are married or have
protectors, reside in a respectable locality, conducting themselves properly durin
g t h e d a y , b u t a t n i g h t g o i n g m i l e s , i f n e c e s s a r y , a n d r e s o r t i n g t o s o m e s e c l u d e d
spot near the barracks or a prostitute's house close by to carry on their calling."
The type of disease is reported as having been mild.
14. Kamptee.—The operations of the protective agency in this station were far
from satisfactory in the year under review, there having been a notable increase in
the admissions for primary syphilis amongst British troops. The subjoined statement
shows the chief results of registration during the past two years :—
1878.
1877.
Remained on the register on 1st January ...
...
...
74
65
Registered during the year ...
...
...
... ...
23
28
Remained on the register on the 31st December ... ...
5 9 74
There was thus in 1878 a decrease in fresh registrations and also in the number
on the register at the close of the year. The number of prostitutes who removed
their names from the register or absconded in 1878 was 38. The explanation
given regarding the decrease in registered women is not very clear or satisfactory.
As regards the working of the Lock Hospital there was a decline in admissions, the
number in 1877 having been 157 and 127 in 1878. Of the chief communicable
diseases the following cases were admitted into the Lock Hospital in 1877 and 1878:—
1878. 1877.
Primary syphilis
...
...
...
...
...
... 59
30
Gonorrhœa ...
...
...
...
. . .
. . .
. . .
65
127
There were thus, as contrasted with 1877, an increase of 29 cases of primary
syphilis in 1878. During the two years the following admissions took place amongst
British troops at the station:—