12
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
Extracts from the Annual Medical Report of the Lock Hospital at Cannanore
by Surgeon-Major N. B. MAJOR, M.S.
The building occupied as a lock hospital is a small detached private bungalow with accom-
modation for 12 patients.
It has been occupied from 1st January to 31st March, then experimentally closed and
re-opened on the 15th December. It is suitable.
No Cantonment Sub-Committee has existed: the duties have been performed by the native
Town Magistrates.
During the short period the hospital has been re-opened, uterine leucorrhœa has been the
predominant disease and not of venereal origin, though aggravated by it, and it would appear
has some connection with ,gonorrhœa in men.
No dhaies have been employed.
Extracts from the Annual Medical Report of the Lock Hospital at Wellington, by
Surgeon-Major J. FRASER, M.D.
For the first six months of the year when the Contagious Disease Act was in operation, the
admissions for venereal were not numerous. There was a decrease in the number of cases of
syphilis, both primary and secondary, but an increase in the number of cases of gonorrhœa as
compared with 1887.
No sub-committee existed.
The rules were carried out by the Cantonment Magistrate to whom reports were made by
the Medical officer in charge and by the police (2) specially detailed for duty in connection
with the lock hospital.
In July these constables were removed.
Up to July when the Contagious Disease Act was suspended, two constables were detailed
for this purpose. They were assisted by the Military police and, on the whole, performed their
duties satisfactorily, attended daily at the hospital, knew all the women on the register, and
also all those suspected of practising unlicensed prostitution. The system was working well
as this fact helps to prove, viz. that for the first six months of the year not a single man of
t h e d e p ô o t ( r e g i m e n t n o t i n c l u d e d ) w a s a d m i t t e d f o r p r i m a r y s y p h i l i s c o n t r a c t e d h e r e . E v e r y
unmarried man is examined on arrival.
Registration seemed to answer well as long as it was carried out. Women employed as
s e r v a n t s , a m p ; c . , a b o u t b a r r a c k s v e r y o f t e n , t o a d d t o t h e i r i n c o m e , p r a c t i s e c l a n d e s t i n e p r o s t i t u t i o n
and are seldom detected.
The women have been fairly regular in attendance when it was compulsory for them at
the examinations which were held weekly.
During the time (six and a half months) the Act was in operation, 91 were reported to the
Cantonment Magistrate for non-attendance, and the fines awarded amounted to Rupees ten and
annas twelve.
Disease appeared to be decreasing among the women up to the time the Act was sus-
pended, and since then it is impossible to say, as so few women have come under observation.
There was a relation between the diseases from which the women suffered and those
contracted by the men.
Non-venereal affections were not treated in hospital.
Eight were detained during monthly illness.
N o d h a i e s w e r e e m p l o y e d .
The registered prostitutes were turned out of cantonment, but have either returned or
are carrying on their trade in the immediate vicinity. The unregistered ones can no doubt
obtain employment in cantonment or even in barracks as servants, amp;c. The rules, as formerly
carried out, were no doubt very useful in checking immorality amongst ayahs and, other female
servants employed by residents in the vicinity or in barracks.
Extracts from the Annual Medical Report of the Lock Hospital at St. Thomas'
Mount, by Surgeon P. J. NUNNERLEY, M.S.
No Cantonment Sub-Committee exists.
Attendance of the prostitutes for examination is not compulsory now; they do not come to
hospital. No measures are now taken for the control of prostitution.
There are no registration fees levied.
Up to 10th August 1888 26 women were reported for their non-attendance to the Super
-inte ndent of Police, one imprisoned and the rest were excused.