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LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
The number of cases of syphilis primary among Europeans during the first half of the
year, when the above-mentioned causes were chiefly in operation, was more than double that
during the last six months, and this fact further corroborates the view I have taken with regard
to the causation of disease.
The subjoined statement has been prepared from the returns furnished by the Medical
Officers of British troops:—
Statement showing the extent of Venereal Diseases among the European Troops in the Cantonment
of Kamptee during the Year 1878.
Regiment.
Period of
Occupation.
Average
Strength during
the Period of
Occupation.
Number of Admissions from Venereal
Diseases during the Period of
Occupation.
Ratio of
Admissions
per 1,000
of Strength for
Period of
Occupation.
Her Majesty's
33rd Regi
meat.
From 1st Jan
nary to 31st
December
1878.
548
Primary syphilis
...
... 99
319·34
Gonorrhœa
...
...
... 57
Phymosis
...
...
...
Stricture
...
...
1
Warts...
...
...
... ...
Orchitis, gonorrhœa
...
. . .
. . .
Secondary syphilis
...
... 18
Total ... 175
Deduct cases contracted at other
pl aces ...
...
...
...
. . .
Balance number of cases contract
ed at Kamptee ...
...
... 175
E and G Bat
teries 6th
Brigade
Royal Artil
lery
From 1st Jan
uary to 31st
December
1878.
248
Primary syphilis
...
...
3
84·67
Gonorrhœa
...
...
... 15
Phymosis
...
...
... ...
Stricture
...
...
...
3
Warts
...
...
...
...
. . .
Orchitis, gonorrhœa
...
...
. . .
Secondary syphilis
...
...
. . .
Total ... 21
Deduct cases contracted at other
places ...
...
...
...
1
80·64
Balance number of cases contract
ed at Kamptee
... ... 20
What special measures have been taken for control of prostitution.— The police captured
10 women, caught by them carrying on clandestine prostitution, and all of these women were
convicted by the Cantonment Magistrate, and brought on the register. In addition to this the
Regimental Police had orders to capture women found carrying on prostitution about the
roads with soldiers; but no women were caught by the Military Police, and this duty is so
distasteful to soldiers that this fact is not at all surprising.
For some months past the women formerly employed as punkah-pullers, &c., about the
lines have been replaced by men with apparently a good effect, as the number of cases of
venereal disease among European soldiers has diminished since this change took place.
How far registration has been efficient, &c .—Registration cannot, I regret to state, be
considered as efficient, as the number of prostitutes on the register has decreased very consi-
derably, while, so far as I am aware, no decrease has taken place in the number of women
practising prostitution in the bazaar.
There are two classes of women on the register, viz., 1st-class for Europeans, and 2nd-
class for Natives. The diminution in numbers has taken place in both classes, and amounted
to 12 in the former and 3 in the latter. Registration extends over an area of 4 miles.
The explanation of the decrease in the number of registered women lies in the fact, that,
whereas no less than 38 women removed their names from the register, only 23 were registered
during the year.
Whether registration fees have been levied, &c.—No registration fees have been levied.
Whether the women have been regular, &c.—The women were irregular in their attendance
during the early part of the year, and when native feasts and holidays occur there is always
some irregularity in their attendance.
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