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MILITARY LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
It seems to me that very little interest is taken by the Police in the working of the
Contagious Disease Act at Bellary, and that consequently much more venereal disease prevails
than would otherwise be the case.
It would be of material service if special and suitable quarters were built for the residence
of registered prostitutes.
Extracts from the Annual Medical Report of the Lock Hospital at Wellington,
by Surgeon-Major W. KEIR.
Since last report the Lock Hospital has been removed into a bungalow about 300 yards to
north-east of Station Hospital. There are two wards capable of accommodating 12 patients,
an office, inspection room, store-room, with adjoining auxiliary kitchen, wash-house and latrine.
The wall around it requires to be a few feet higher ; otherwise it is a very suitable building and
in good sanitary condition.
Rules were carried out under Cantonment Magistrate, advised by the Medical Officer.
Two constables were entertained to prevent illicit prostitution, and supervise the regis-
tered prostitutes.
The registration extends over an area of 5 square miles, and includes Chuckler, Paria and
Hindoo prostitutes, and is fairly effective over them within this area. Eight were added to, and
sixteen removed from the register during the year, but the average is practically the same as
last year, 31.95.
There has been a considerable number of absentees due to pregnancy, sickness, some
absconded and a few absented themselves without cause, but on the whole the attendance
has been very fair. Seventy-six were reported for non-attendance as against 44 last year,
and the fines awarded amounted to Rs. 18-8-0 as against Rs. 6 during 1885.
All women found diseased at the weekly examination at the Lock Hospital were detained
and treated there until cured.
The rules are sufficient when efficiently carried out. In proportion to the vigilance of the
Police in apprehending illicit prostitutes and supervising those on the register, does the disease
diminish both amongst the women and the troops.
This year they are to be credited with more zeal in carrying out their duties, and to
this chiefly the great decrease of venereal amongst the troops is to be attributed.
The Police duties are carried out under considerable difficulties, as there are no proper
quarters assigned for the prostitutes, their vocation being carried on a field. This has been
represented, but as yet no action has been taken.
Extracts from the Annual Medical Report of the Lock Hospital at Secunderabad,
by Surgeon-Major G. F. BEVAN.
The work of supervising the operations of the Lock Hospital throughout the year was
carried out by the Cantonment Committee as in preceding years.
In last year's report some suggestions were made for the better control of prostitution, and
these suggestions have been acted on as far as possible with a consequent material decrease in
disease among the troops. Without the cordial co-operation of the Cantonment Magistrate and
Assistant District Superintendent of. Police, such favorable results could not have been obtained.
Great care has been exercised in the granting of leave to prostitutes and in their removal
from the register. It may be remarked that only those have been struck off who, after diligent
inquiry, were found to have left the station entirely. The Regimental Police as usual worked
satisfactorily in keeping off prostitutes from the barracks. The civil detective police were
useful in making arrests of suspected women or those pointed out by men as having infected
them. The measures taken regimentally are given in the following extracts
: —
NORTH STATION HOSPITAL,
14th Hussars.
" The Regimental Police system is intended to maintain order and note all irregularities in
the barracks and vicinity, and keep improper characters out of barracks. No natives are
allowed into barracks unless they possess passes."
"One sergeant and 5 privates are detailed for this work, they are constantly on duty, each
man taking a tour of four hours. Worked satisfactorily as regards maintenance of order and
suppression of prostitution in the barracks or immediate vicinity. Last year particular atten-
tion was paid to the latter."