22
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
The number of women reported to the Cantonment Magistrate for non-attendance was 50
against 67 in 1877; of these 36 were punished by being fined, and the remaining 14 were
admonished. The amount realized by fines was Rupees 27.
How far disease has increased among the women.—The total number of admissions for
venereal disease among the women has been less than it was in the previous year; the numbers
being 157 in 1877, and 127 in 1878. On the other hand, however, the decrease has been
under the heading of gonorrhœa which shows a very large decrease; while the cases of primary
syphilis were merely twice as numerous as in 1877, and there were also 3 cases of secondary
syphilis. The sores have, almost always, been of the soft kind, and the same has been the
case among European soldiers.
How far Dhais have been employed.—The Chowdran, or Dhai, has been employed
in visiting the women at their own houses, and she has detected and reported 3 cases of venereal
disease among them during the year.
Extract from the Annual Medical Report of the Lock Hospital at
St. Thomas' Mount, by Surgeon P. N. MUKERJEE.
One hundred and eleven cases of venereal disease were admitted into the European
hospital during the year, according to the weekly returns, which were regularly received. Out
of these 111 cases 102 are stated to have contracted disease at the Mount and 9 contracted
disease on the line of march.
Measures for the control of prostitutions and specially for the prevention of unlicensed
prostitution within the cantonment rest with the Police authorities, the Superintendent being
the Registrar, to whom a report is sent weekly immediately after the periodical examination
of all the registered prostitutes who were present or absent at that period.
Fifty-nine prostitutes remained on the register on the last day of December 1877. During
the year 54 fresh cases were registered, making a total of 113. Out of this number 46 women
removed their names from the register or absconded, leaving 67 names on the register on
the last day of December 1878, thus showing an increase in the number registered by 8.
There is on the other hand an increase in the number of admissions for venereal diseases
amongst the men of the Royal Artillery stationed at the Mount during the year. During the
year under review there were 111 admissions for venereal disease. Out of this number 102
contracted the disease at the Mount and 9 elsewhere or on the line of march.
Statement showing the extent of various forms of Venereal Diseases among the European Troops
in the Cantonment of St. Thomas' Mount during the Year 1878.
Regiment.
Period of
Occupation.
Average
Strength during
the Period of
Occupation.
Number of Admissions from Venereal
Diseases during the Period of
Occupation
Ratio of
Admissions
per 1,000
of Strength for
Period of
Occupation.
Royal Artillery. From 1st Jan.
to 31st Dec.
1878.
305
Primary syphilis
...
... 61
Gonorrhœa
...
...
... 41
Secondary syphilis
...
... 9
Total ... 111
363·93
Deduct cases contracted at other
places ...
...
...
...
9
Balance number of cases contract
ed at St. Thomas' Mount
... 102
In 1877 there was a total of 98 admissions; 79 of these men contracted the disease at
the Mount and 18 elsewhere, thus showing an increase of 23 cases last year compared with the
previous year, the percentage of strength to admissions being 23.5 for 1877, and 33.1 for
last year. I am unable to account for this increase from personal experience, as I have been in
charge of this institution only a week; but from my long experience of the working of the
Lock Hospital in Madras I cannot but think, that it is due to a great extent to clandestine
prostitutions not easily detectable. The area over which the Act extends is calculated to be
about 1,643 acres, and contains a population of 15,480 souls. Amongst the registered women
there are a few East Indians; the rest are almost all Pariahs, chiefly of the grass-cutter and
cooly class. Twenty paupers suffering from venereal disease were admitted last year, but as
they were not registered prostitutes they were allowed to go after being cured.
No registration fees are levied.