6
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE MILITARY LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
of registered prostitutes was 53 . 08, and the average daily sick in the Lock Hospital
15 . 62 against 46 . 75 and 7 . 69 in 1878. The number of women brought on the
register in 1879 was 33, while 36 removed their names or absconded.
13. Kamptee.- The working of the Lock Hospital at this station may be briefly
stated as follows. The average number of prostitutes on the register was 52.67
against 64.87, while the average daily sick was 101 8 against 10 . 29 in 1878.
Seventeen names only were added to the register and 22 were removed. Amongst
British troops the admission rose from 237 . 86 per mille of strength in 1878 to
291 . 90 per mile. Of the total admissions for venereal complaints 112, or some-
what less than one half were cases of primary syphilis.
14. St. Thomas' Mount. -The protective influence of the . Lock Hospital at
this station was not obvious, as the admission rate per mile of strength for venereal
diseases amongst the Royal Artillery rose from 354 . 63 in 1878 to 379 . 08 in 1879.
About one half were oases of primary syphilis. The results were therefore most
unfavorable. As regards the Lock Hospital the average daily sick was 12 . 74 and
the average number of registered prostitutes 64 . 66 against 11 . 19 and 67 . 33 in
1878. Of the women on the register 49 withdrew or absconded and 43 names
were added to the roll.
15. Secunderabad.-This as already stated was the only station at which there
was a reduction in the amount of venereal disease amongst British troops in 1879.
The ratio of admissions for venereal diseases generally per mile of strength was
23888 in 1879 against 265 .47 in 1878. Of the total admissions 226, or somewhat
less than one half were for primary syphilis. As regards the Lock Hospital the
average number on the register was 292 .47 and the average daily sick 42 . 53 against
253 . 54 and 38 . 44 in 1878. The number of prostitutes put on the register was 182,
while the number that withdrew was 124. On the whole registration was fairly
pushed at this station.
16. Trichinopoly.-In this station the amount of venereal disease amongst
European troops was very great, the ratio of admissions per mile of strength having
been 341 . 46 against 330 . 85 in 1878. Of the admissions 25 or rather less than one
half were capes of primary syphilis. As regards the Lock Hospital it appears that
in 1879 the average number of registered women was 59 . 56 and the average daily
sick 23 . 11, the corresponding figures in 1878 having been 70-44 and 33 . 65. The
registration results show an addition of 23 and the withdrawal of 45 names from
the roll.
17. Wellington.-The average number of women on the register was 40 . 64 and
the average daily sick in the Lock Hospital 15 .41 against 40 . 76 and 17 .45 in 1878.
As regards European troops the results were unsatisfactory, the ratio of admissions
for venereal diseases per mile of strength having risen from 140 . 04 in 1878 to
202 . 95 in the year under review. The total admissions for all venereal complaints
numbered 96, and of these 37 were cases of primary syphilis.
18. General Remarks.-In most stations there was a falling off in the average
number of women on the register, and the admissions into Lock Hospitals show an
enormous amount of primary syphilis, the most dangerous form of venereal disease.
Amongst European troops there was at every station, except Secunderabad, a
marked increase in venereal complaints in 1879 as contrasted with the previous year.
The ratio of admissions for diseases of this class varied from 202 . 95 per mile of
strength at Wellington to 442 . 09 at Bangalore. At the latter station the results
may be characterised as disastrous, as 6P23 per cent. of the total admissions for
venereal diseases were cases of primary syphilis. The admission rates for venereal
complaints generally were also excessively high at Bellary, St. Thomas' Mount,
Trichinopoly, and Kamptee. The usual extracts from the reports of Medical
Officers in charge of Lock Hospitals are appended.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
(Signed)
A. D. HOME,
Surgeon- General, If. M.'s Forces.