LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
17
British Troops.
Average strength during the year
...
...
...
...
635
Number of venereal sick remained on 31st December 1876.
...
4
Number of venereal admissions in the hospital during the year ...
54
Remaining in hospital on 31st December 1877
...
...
7
Ratio of admissions per mille of strength
...
...
... 85.03
Statement showing the extent of various forms of Venereal Diseases among the European Troops
in the Cantonment of Cannanore during the year 1877.
Regiment.
Period of
Occupation.
AveraeSt rengt h.
Number of Admissions from Venereal
Affections during Period of
Occupation.
Ratio of Admis
-sions per 1,000
of Strength for
Period of Occu
-pation.
48th Foot ... The whole year.
560
Primary syphilis
...
...
5
8.92
Secondary do.
...
... 14
25.0
Gonorrhœa
...
...
... 26
46.42
Total ... 45
Deduct cases contracted at other
places ...
...
...
...
7
Balance number of cases contract-
ed at Cannanore
...
... 38
13-8th, late
6-5th, Royal
Artillery.
Do.
...
75
Secondary syphilis
...
...
6
26.66
Gonorrhœa
...
...
...
2
80.0
Epididymitis
...
...
...
13.33
1
Total ...
9
Deduct cases contracted at other
places ...
...
....
. . .
Balance number of cases contract-
ed at Cannanore
...
...
9
I am glad to report that there is a diminution of 7 . 88 admissions per 1,000 of strength
under venereal diseases among the European troops in 1877 as compared with 1876, this being
particularly marked under syphilis primary 34 . 04, and syphilis secondary 65 . 06 per 1,000 of
strength. There is an increase of admissions under gonorrhœa, viz., 94 . 44 per 1,000, in my
opinion mainly due to clandestine prostitution, which exists to some extent at this station.
Nearly all the newly registered prostitutes on first examination are found suffering from it.
Surgeon-Major Holton, Senior Medical Officer, British Troops, informs me the type of venereal
diseases among the European troops is mild. A Cantonment Sub-Committee has existed during
the year, but no meeting took place; no special measures are taken for the control of
prostitu-tion in this cantonment, but the police now and then take steps to register unlicensed
prostitutes, but they have many difficulties to contend with. Many of these women are married
or have protectors, who are only too ready to thwart their endeavors to bring them under the
operation of the Act. There is an increase of 2 in the number of prostitutes remaining on the
register on 31st December 1877 as compared with December 1876, but still the total of
registered prostitutes, 36, is too small in proportion to the population 30,000. There were 15
names added to the register, 12 removed at the request of the magistrate, and 1 died. The
f o l l o w i n g t a b l e s h o w s t h e c a s t e o f t h e p r o s t i t u t e s o n t h e r e g i s t e r o n 3 1 s t D e c e m b e r 1 8 7 6 : —
Caste.
No.
Caste.
. . .
...
No.
Hindus...
... 8
Pariahs
...
. . .
... 13
Mahomedans
. . .
... 3
Thiers
. . .
. . .
... 10
Portuguese
...
.. .
Total ... 36
No registration fees have been levied during the year. The attendance of the prostitutes
was not satisfactory, 70 women being reported during 1877 for non-attendance. None but
registered prostitutes were treated during the year. The admissions amounted to 89, being an
increase of 15 when compared with 1876. About one-ninth of these was due to non-venereal
disease. Gonorrhœa and leucorrhœa were mild in type and yielded readily to treatment, but
syphilis primary was very severe. Dr. Holton informs me that the type of all the venereal diseases
among European troops during the year was mild. I have got no suggestions for the improve
-ment of the rules, which are, I think, efficiently carried out.
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