11
LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
and the risk which the soldiers encounter in consorting with unlicensed women.
The prostitutes on the roll were very irregular in attendance at inspection, and those
suffering from disease are said to evade this ordeal if possible, as they dislike the
detention in hospital. The great increase in the number who absconded or
withdrew their names from the register in 1878 is worthy of notice, and is no doubt
due to the dislike which the prostitutes entertain to constant surveillance. In most
cases it is to be feared the reasons given for withdrawal from the roll are mere feints,
and the woman on effecting her object begins afresh as an unlicensed prostitute in
some other part of the station. The chief features of the working of the Lock
Hospital during the two past years may be summarised as follows:—
1878.
1877.
Total admissions during the year
...
...
. . .
650
503
Admissions for primary syphilis
...
.... . .
476
282
Do. for gonorrhœa
...
. . .
...
. . .
146
126
It will be observed that the admissions in 1878 were greatly in excess of those
in the previous year, and that there was also a serious increase of primary
syphilis. Fortunately the prevalence of this disease amongst British troops bore no
relation to its diffusion amongst the registered prostitutes. The following figures
show the extent to which venereal disease obtained in the British force during the
past two years:—
1878.
1877.
Total admissions for venereal disease
...
...
. . .
656
522
Cases of primary syphilis
...
...
...
...
294
245
Do. of gonorrhœa
...
...
...
...
. . .
266
183
The increase in admissions was, it will be observed, largely due to the greater
prevalence of gonorrhœa in 1878. The amount of primary syphilis was still
excessive, however, and demands the most strenuous efforts for its reduction. The
number of admissions for venereal disease in the several corps bore no relation to
the average strength. Thus in the Artillery, with an average strength of 540, the
admissions were 158; in the 12th Royal Lancers, with 407 men, the admissions were
111; in the 2/16th Regiment, with a strength of 792, the admissions numbered 160;
while in the 1/21st Regiment, with 738, there were 209 cases. Among the registered
women the type of venereal disease presenting was of a very mild character, but
amongst the unlicensed it was so severe that they had to be detained for long
periods in hospital. It is remarked that venereal disease is also on the increase
amongst the Native troops at Secunderabad. There can be no doubt, therefore, that
the prostitute class at this station is extensively diseased, and to cope with the
growing evil will be no easy task, as the population to which the public women
belong are mostly foreigners and camp-followers of the lowest grade, who frequently
change their residence and have generally some ostensible respectable occupation,
under which they conceal their real character. The chief want at the present time
would appear to be an increase of the detective agency.
19. Seetabuldee.— The working of the Act in this cantonment has not been
satisfactory. The year began with 19 on the register, and only 1 was registered
during the year, making a total of 20. Of this number 14 removed their names or
absconded, so that there were only 6 on the register on the 31st December 1878.
The daily average number of sick prostitutes in hospital was only .75 and the chief
diseases treated during the past two years were as follow:—
1878.
1877.
Primary syphilis
...
...
...
... ... ... 5
2
Gonorrhœa
... . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
... ...
...
47
The subjoined figures show the results amongst British troops in. the station
during the same two years:—
1878.
1877.
Primary syphilis
...
...
...
...
... ...
9
7
Gonorrhœa
... ... ... ... ... ...
12
5
I t h a s b e e n d e c i d e d t o c l o s e t h e L o c k H o s p i t a l a t t h i s s t a t i o n , m e r e l y k e e p i n g
a H e a l t h S t a t i o n
w h e r e w o m e n w i l l b e p e r i o d i c a l l y e x a m i n e d a n d t r a n s f e r r e d t h e n c e