39
LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
Months.
44th Regiment.
Royal Artillery.
M i l i t a r y F o r c e .
S y p h i l i s , P r i m a r y .
S y p h i l i s , S e c o n d a r y .
G o n o r r h œ a .
O t h e r V e n e r e a l A f f e c t i o n s .
M i l i t a r y F o r c e .
S y p h i l i s P r i m a r y .
S y p h i l i s S e c o n d a r y .
G o n o r r h œ a .
O t h e r V e n e r e a l A f f e c t i o n s .
T o t a l i n e a c h M o n t h .
January ...
... 250 11
...
2
. . .
90
1
...
4
...
18
February...
... 280
3
3
3
. . . 135
1
. . .
...
...
10
March ...
... 282
4
1
2
...
135 ...
...
...
1
8
April
...
... 278
3
2
. . .
. . .
137 ...
. . .
...
...
5
May
...
... 331
. . .
...
1
...
140 ...
...
...
...
1
June
... 273 ...
3
1
. . .
136 ...
1
...
...
5
July
...
... 272 ...
1
...
...
131
...
...
...
...
1
August ...
... 269 ...
...
...
...
130
. . .
...
...
1
1
Sept ember . . .
261
. . .
1
1
...
130 ...
. . .
...
...
2
October ...
... 257 ...
...
1
. . .
125 ...
....
...
...
1
November
... 253
1
. . .
2
1
119 ...
...
1
...
5
December
... 240
1
. . .
...
1
120 ...
. . . ...
...
2
Total ... 3,246 23
11
13
2 1,528
2
1
5
2
59
271
127
It will be observed from the above that there were altogether 25 admissions for primary
syphilis, 12 for secondary syphilis, and 18 for gonorrhœa. In addition to which there were
2 admissions for bubo and 2 for balanitis.
The Medical Officers in charge of the troops report, that out of these numbers 11 men
contracted primary syphilis at Rangoon and 1 at Shoaygheen, and also 5 out of 18 admissions
for gonorrhœa were infected with the disease at Shoaygheen.
The . L. H. B. 44th Regiment arrived here at the end of December 1877, and one battery
of artillery in the following month. This accounts for so many cases of disease being
contracted out of the station.
It will be observed that the amount of disease, especially of primary syphilis, gradually
decreased from the commencement of the year up to the end.
The amount of venereal complaints amongst the Native troops has been very small indeed ;
out of a strength for the greater portion of the year of over 800 men, there were no admissions
for primary syphilis or gonorrhœa, and only 2 for secondary syphilis.
This small amount of sickness, it is believed, is attributable to the fact that the sepoy
leads a life of continency in Burmah. Sepoys appear to be under the belief that syphilis when
contracted in this country always proves fatal, the affected part first becoming gangrenous and
falling off.
The Cantonment Magistrate does all in his power to give effect to the provisions of the Act,
and tries in every way to detect women practising illicit prostitution.
The Civil Surgeon and he practically act as a sub-committee.
Medical Officers of European troops furnish weekly statements showing the admissions for
venereal complaints, and endeavour to trace the source of the disease.
When any woman is suspected of practising illicit prostitution, the case is inquired into
as far as the law permits either by the Superintendent of Police or the Cantonment Magistrate.
There is also a Native Police Serjeant who watches after the women.
The following table shows the number of prostitutes remaining, registered, &c., during
the year :—
Number of prostitutes remaining on 1st January 1878
...
... 16
Do. do. registered during the year ...
...
...
7
Total ... . . .
23
Number of prostitutes absconded during the year 1878
...
...
2
Do. do. whose names have been removed from regis
ter during the year 1878 ...
...
...
...
...
...
6
Total ...
8
Number of prostitutes remaining on 31st December 1878 ...
... 15
No fees or payments of any kind were levied from prostitutes during the year, and, as far
as I could see, it would have been almost cruel to have imposed any, all the unhappy
creatures borne on the register being apparently poor.