EXTRACTS
FROM THE
ANNUAL REPORTS ON THE MILITARY LOCK HOSPITALS,
FOR THE YEAR 1882.
Extracts from the Annual Medical Report of the Lock Hospital at Bangalore, by
Garrison Surgeon A. F. DOBSON.
The Contagious Disease Act rules, which were sanctioned in 1871 for Bangalore and
subsequently modified by the Chief Commissioner of Mysore, are in force. The Superintendent
of Police is delegated with the duty of keeping a register of all brothels and prostitutes within
the area of 14 square miles as implied by the Act, but since the withdrawal of the detective
agency, which in 1879 consisted of one European Chief Constable and five Constables, besides
two European Chief Constables detailed for the purpose of finding out from all European soldiers
admitted to hospital for venereal diseases the prostitutes who had infected them, a steady decline
has taken place in the number of women on the register, and from the fact of there being an
average of only 86.65 registered prostitutes for the year with an estimated European and
Native population of 78,000 very conclusively proves that the rules, as they now exist, have little
effect in controlling prostitution.
On the 1st January 1882 there were 85 women on the register : 18 were added; making a
total of 103. During the year six removed their names under representation to the Superin-
tendent of Police, either of leaving the station or of returning to a virtuous life and seeking
shelter in the convent ; 15 absconded and one died from heart disease in the Civil Hospital,
leaving 81 registered prostitutes at the close of the year. One Native Head Constable attends
at the hospital daily to report to the Superintendent of Police the absence of registered pro-
stitutes from periodical examinations and to see that they are supplied with tickets; as all such
women are compelled to present themselves for examination at least once a week, and if
contaminated in any way, are detained for treatment. This man is also expected to bring to
notice all women whom he may detect plying their trade unlicensed ; but, in not a single
instance has he succeeded in doing so throughout the year. Those who have been newly
registered, with one or two exceptions, come of their own accord for that purpose.
The women have been very punctual in their attendance. The average number present at the
periodical examinations was 47.86, of whom 14.70 per cent., being found diseased, were detained
for treatment : only 49 were reported for being absent : imprisonment was awarded in 10 cases
and 39 were warned.
The number of admissions during the year has been 224 less than in 1881. This diminu-
tion was chiefly due to women with their monthly illness having ceased to be admitted since
early in the year, and only such as appeared doubtful cases were subsequently detained in
hospital.
The cases under treatment were very similar to those referred to in last year's report ; the
affections, however, which proved obstinate occurred, for the most part, among the European and
East Indian women, and were attributable to ulcer os uteri and ulcer cervix uteri; these
necessitated very careful treatment and lengthened detention in hospital to effect a complete
cure.
I am satisfied that the large amount of venereal affections amongst the European troops is
the result of clandestine prostitution carried on in the vicinity of the barracks with grass-
cutters, coolies, and other female followers of the regiments and in unlicensed brothel's
scattered over the cantonment. To put down this evil special measures are imperative. The
registration of a small number of women can be but a slight safeguard against venereal
disease. The rules as they now stand only affect those women who consort or are suspected of
consorting with Europeans ; but until they are made to extend to all women who carry on
indiscriminate prostitution, and an efficient detective agency is established for the purpose of
apprehending and placing on the register all women found having illicit intercourse, so long
will the Lock Hospital be restricted in its sphere of usefulness and the soldiery remain exposed
to the ravages of venereal diseases and their consequences.
In conclusion I would beg to report the suggestion which has so frequently been made —
that a " Lal Bazaar " be instituted, and that the soldier contracting disease from any other
source be severely punished.
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