6
ANNUAL. REPORT ON THE
The return of expenditure for 1877 is not complete, but so far as information
is available it shows that the average cost per patient was somewhat less in 1877
than in 1876.
WORKING OF THE SEVERAL LOCK HOSPITALS.
9. Bangalore.—The number of registered women was largely added to in 1877
the aggregate being 174 or 82 in excess of that for 1876. Of those borne on the
books during the former year 7 died and 60 either removed their names or
absconded. These results show that the Act was worked under difficulties in this
cantonment. No registration fees were demanded. There was also, during the
year under report as compared with the previous year, a considerable increase in
the amount of venereal disease amongst the European troops in the station. Thus
in 1876 the ratio of admissions per thousand for venereal diseases was 91.45,
whereas in 1877 the rate reached the formidable proportion of 253.60. This
increase is attributed by the Medical Officer in charge of the Lock Hospital to the
influx of famine-stricken native women, many of whom carried on prostitution
systematically and were extensively diseased. To cope with this a special detec-
tive agency, consisting of a Chief Constable and 5 Policemen, was employed with
the sanction of the Chief Commissioner. This measure was to some extent bene-
ficial, but there can be no doubt that in spite of all precautions clandestine prosti
tution existed to a great extent, and that it produced its usual disastrous results.
As the famine pressure declined 55 of the newly registered women absconded, clearly
proving that their presence in the station was due entirely to the scarcity of food
in the districts. Amongst the European troops the admissions from venereal
diseases were principally under the head of primary syphilis. The cases of venereal
disease occurring among registered women were comparatively mild and yielded
readily to treatment, whilst of those among unregistered women some were of a
virulent and obstinate type.
10.Bellary. —The working of the Act was rendered very difficult at this station
owing to the presence of a large number of unregistered women who congregated
from out-lying villages in consequence of the famine. For purposes of registration
there is now a special agency in existence consisting of one Head Constable and
three Policemen. By this means registration was more energetically carried out
than in 1876, 99 names having been brought on the roll during the year. The
number of women on the list amounted to 166, of whom 47 removed their names,
absconded or died. The number on the register at the close of the year fell to
119. The Medical Officer in charge of the hospital complains of irregular
attendance at the tri-weekly inspections. There was a great increase in the
number of admissions to the Lock Hospital in 1877, and in the number of cases of
primary syphilis as compared with the returns of previous years. Thus in 1876 the
total admissions amounted to 273 and the cases of primary syphilis to 113, whereas
in 1877 the numbers were respectively 398 and 113. The daily average number of
sick in hospital during 1877 was 45.70 with 8 deaths. As might have been expected
from the presence of a large body of unregistered and diseased women in the
station there was a serious increase in the the number of cases of venereal disease
among the European troops. Thus in 1876 the ratio of admission per mille of
strength for venereal diseases was 252.83, whereas in 1877 it increased to 465.81.
Such a result has been a cause of much anxiety to the medical authorities_ and can
only be characterized as deplorable. Here, as in Bangalore, there can be no doubt
that the unusual increase of venereal disease was largely due to the accidental
presence of famine refugees. The average strength of European troops in Bellary
during 1877 was 845.83, while the admissions from venereal affections numbered
394 ; of these no fewer than 244 were from primary syphilis. There was nothing
remarkable in the type of syphilitic sores as seen among the women. Several
unregistered women suffering from venereal disease voluntarily came to hospital for
treatment, and others w ere sent to hospital by Medical Subordinates in charge of
relief-camps.
11. Cavna,nore.—The number of registered women in this station during 1877
was 49 or 2 less than the return of 1876. There is no agency beyond that of the