10
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
These figures show a laudable decrease in both diseases. Amongst the troops of the
European garrison the admissions under the same heads were as follows:—
1878.
1877.
Primary syphilis
...
...
...
...
... ...
50
69
Gonorrhœa ...
...
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
45
34
These results contrast favorably with those of Madras, in which moreover the
average strength of the European force in garrison was considerably less than at
Rangoon. The women on the register are said to be mostly of the lowest class, the
Europeans being chiefly Germans and Russians. The examination of the registered
women takes place four times in the month, and the attendance at these inspections
in 1878 was more regular than in the previous year. The Medical Officer in charge
of the Lock Hospital attributes the great prevalence of venereal disease amongst
prostitutes in Rangoon to the fact, that many of them are natives of India who
emigrate to this place when they find it difficult to secure a living in their native
country. Nearly 75 per cent. of these emigrants land diseased. The presence of a
large body of incurably diseased foreigners has also become a nuisance in Rangoon,
and the Chief Commissioner sanctioned the deportation of 41 of these women to
their native countries.
17. St. Thomas' Mount.—At this station there were 59 women on the register
on the 1st January 1878, and during the year 54 others were brought on the roll.
There was thus a total of 113 under surveillance in 1878, but of this number 46
removed their names or absconded, leaving 67 on the list at the close of the year.
The following figures show the working of the Lock Hospital during the past two
years:—
1878.
1877.
Remained on 1st January ...
...
...
...
...
6
6
Admitted during the year ...
...
...
... . . .
183
138
Admissions for primary syphilis ...
...
...
...
66
16
Do. for gonorrhœa ...
...
...
...
...
68
39
There was thus a great increase in admissions generally as well as for primary
syphilis and gonorrhœa, in 1878. No explanation is given as to this increase, but
the attention of the Medical Officer now in charge of the hospital will be specially
directed to the subject. Concomitant with the greater prevalence of venereal disease
amongst the women, there was with one exception a marked increase also amongst
British troops quartered in the station in 1878, as will be seen from the following
figures:—
1878.
1877.
Total admissions for venereal diseases
...
...
... 111
96
Do. for primary syphilis
...
...
...
58
37
Do.
for gonorrhœa
...
. . .
...
. . . 33
53
The women are said not to attend so regularly as they ought at the weekly
inspections, and the rise in admissions amongst the troops is attributed to
clandestine prostitution. Be this as it may, there can be no doubt that the working
of the protective agency in this station requires earnest attention.
18. Secunderabad.—The following abstract shows the results of registration in
this large and important cantonment during the past two years:—
1878.
1877.
Remained on the register on 1st January
...
... 230
121
Registered during the year
...
...
...
... 159
153
Number who removed their names or absconded
... 132
44
Remained on the register on the 31st December
... 257
230
The new arrangements in the detective department, which were originated
in 1877, appear to have worked fairly in the year under review; but there can be no
doubt that four constables are not enough to cope with the duties of detection in
a cantonment, so extensive and so scattered as that of Secunderabad. One fact
worthy of notice is, that of the 159 women brought on the register for the first time
in 1878, no fewer than 149 were on examination found to be diseased. This shows
the great prevalence of venereal disease amongst the prostitute class at this station,