LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
7
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st, ia
rm tion police for the detection of prostitutes, and the number (36) on the register
4 the close of the year is out of all proportion small for a population numbering
rkis 000. During the year 13 registered women absconded, removed their names
km died, and the daily average number of sick in hospital amounted to 4 . 38. Of
if
Ile t otal admissions into hospital about one in nine was due to non-venereal
oom
Ibmplaints. The cases of primary syphilis which came under observation were
an aggravated type. Amongst the European troops there was a slight decrease
; g
in the number of admissions for primary syphilis but an increase in the admis-
Ng! tLions from gonorrhoea as compared with the returns of the previous year. The
iltio of admissions per 1,000 of strength for venereal diseases was 87 . 80. The
tpses of primary syphilis are reported to have been mild. No fee was charged for
the registration of women.
12. Kamptee.—The registration of prostitutes in this cantonment during 1877
6
't
V i sas upon the whole satisfactory. During the year the number of names brought
k' : o n the list, including 6 restored to the register, was 28, the number in 1876 being
g. Both cantonment and regimental police were employed in suppressing clan- •
d'estine prostitution, but in spite of all efforts the evil is said to have prevailed
and
a considerable extent. The rules are in force over an area of four square miles,
and the registered prostitutes are divided into two classes, namely, those, constitu-
ng the first-class, who consort with Europeans, and the remainder, constituting
:the second-class, who consort with natives. Of the former class there were
08 on the register in 1876 and 44 in 1877, while of the latter class the correspond-
g numbers were 27 and 30. No registration fee was levied. The women
fdttended the periodical inspections more regularly than during the preceding year.
h. 1876 the number of women of both classes who either removed their names
arom the register, absconded or died amounted to 28, but in 1877 this aggregate
le ' ll to 19. There was a marked decrease during 1877 of cases of primary syphilis
amongst the registered women, but an increase in the admissions for gonorrhcea,
f r : v Soft chancres were, as a rule, the more common form of disease, and cases of
,mirulent syphilitic disease were rare. Out of 30 registered women, who were
reported by soldiers as having communicated to them disease, only 3 were found
on examination to be infected, and the Medical Officer of the Lock Hospital believes
hat false accusations of this kind were made by the men with the object of screen-
7,ang clandestine prostitutes. Nearly all the clandestine prostitutes brought up
for examination were found to be diseased, but not one of this class was
:reported by a soldier although it was well known that many of them consorted
4iith soldiers. The European troops at Kamptee in 1877 consisted of Her
.
.11ajesty's 33rd Regiment numbering 567 men, and of 260 men of the Royal Artil-
'1,ery. The admissions from venereal disease during the year amongst the men of
. 'the 33rd Regiment were in the ratio of 252 . 20, and amongst the Artillery of
YV.4
1
473 .0 7 p e r mi l l e o f s t r e n g t h . T h e s e f i g u r e s , c o mp a r e d wi t h t h o s e o f 1 8 7 6 , s h o w
‘ 6, 'n increase in the number of admissions from the Infantry corps but a notable
"'decrease as regards the admissions from the Artillery.
13. Madras.--The report on the working of the Madras Lock Hospital
,
ap a meagre one and contains little information. The admissions into hospital
during the year were 910 and include 57 Europeans and East Indians and 853
.;;,natives. The total treated, including those . remaining on the 31st December
,1876, amounted to 1,001 or to 76 in excess of the return of the previous year.
''his • increase is attributed to the presence of famine-stricken women in 'Madras.
rsTudging however from the experience of other stations in famine districts and
;looking at the prevalence of venereal diseases amongst the troops both British and
'';!1n Tative in Madras in 1877 there can be no doubt that the responsible authorities
:jailed gravely in bringing diseased famine refugees under the operation of the
Act. Of the admissions 397 were due to primary syphilis and 424 to gonorrhoea.
AThe average daily sick of women in hospital aggregated 103, 5 being Europeans
East Indians and 98 Natives. No information is afforded as to the type of
og
Y.syphilis amongst the women nor as regards . the prevalence of venereal diseases
Omougst European troops in the town of Madras. The total admissions amongst the
latter for venereal diseases in 1877 amounted to 177, while in 1876 the aggregate
.was 171. It is to be observed, however, that whereas the admissions for primary