19
LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
Statement showing the various forms of Venereal Diseases among the European Troops in the
Cantonment of Cannanore for the year 1878.
Regiment.
Period of
Occupation.
Averag
e Strength.
Number of all Admissions from Venereal
Affections during the Period of
Occupation.
Ratio of Admis
sions per 1, 000
of Strength
per year.
48th Foot ... The whole year.
574
Primary syphilis
...
... 33
57·4
Gonorrhœa
...
...
... 43
74·9
Secondary syphilis
...
... 12
20·8
Total ... 88
153·3
Deduct cases contracted at other
places ...
...
...
...
5
Balance number of cases contract
ed at Cannanore
...
... 83
13-8th, late
6-5th Royal
Artillery.
From January
to October
1878.
77
Primary syphilis
...
...
5
64·9
Gonorrhœa
...
...
...
9
116·8
Secondary syphilis
...
. . .
. . .
Total ... 14
181·8
Deduct cases contracted at other
places ...
...
...
...
2
Balance number of cases contract
ed at Cannanore
...
... 12
During the year under review the operation of the Contagious Diseases Act in this canton-
ment was very unsatisfactory, there being a large increase of admissions from venereal diseases
among the European troops as compared with 1877, viz., 123·8 per 1,000 of strength under
syphilis, primary, and 84 . 7 under gonorrhœa. There is a diminution of admissions under
secondary syphilis, viz., 30 .8 per 1,000 of strength. However, I consider 1878 an exceptional
year, as a number of diseased prostitutes emigrated to this coast from the Mysore district on
account of the famine. These women arrived here as a rule in batches from 3 to 6; their
actual calling on arrival was not known to the police; they led a wandering life, many of them
having left the cantonment when wanted by the police, returning after a short time; and
judging from those who were registered, they were in a deplorable condition, weak and debili-
tated with broken-down constitution, requiring treatment for weeks, and in a few cases for
months, before they were discharged cured. All the admissions from venereal diseases which
came under my notice among the Native troops were traced to such prostitutes, who, no doubt,
consorted with the European troops, thereby causing much sickness among them. Although
much disease was disseminated by these women, I must not leave out clandestine prostitution,
which exists to a great extent here, as a great cause of venereal disease in this cantonment.
The police have many difficulties to contend against in bringing clandestine prostitutes under
the operation of the Act. Many of these women are married, or have protectors, reside in a
respectable locality, conducting themselves properly during the day, but at night going miles
if necessary, and resorting to some secluded spot near the barracks or a prostitute's house close
by, to carry on their calling. I may here mention that 24 women were registered during the
year, and 15 of these were found diseased, 4 suffering from syphilis, primary, and 10 from
gonorrhœa. Although there has been a great increase of admissions from venereal diseases as
compared with 1877, yet the type as a rule has been mild. The Senior Medical Officer, British
Troops, reports that the cases of primary syphilis were all soft sores, and in no case did
secondary syphilis or bubo supervene; gonorrhœa was of the ordinary type. As pointed out
before, there was a large diminution of admissions under secondary syphilis, clearly showing
that syphilis is very mild in type in this cantonment.
There are two policemen especially detailed to bring unlicensed prostitutes under the
operation of the Act, and to prosecute women who absent themselves from the weekly exami-
nations at the hospital. Besides these, all the police force in this cantonment have orders to
look after the movements of unlicensed prostitutes, with the view of obtaining evidence to get
them registered, and adopting measures to check clandestine prostitution. I consider the
police do their best to prevent this, but they have many difficulties to contend against.
The rules (under Clause VII, Section 19 of the Madras Act I of 1866) are in force in all
places within a radius of 4 miles from the cantonment, and during the year 24 prostitutes were
registered, being an increase of 9 as compared with 1877. I attribute this to the emigration of
diseased women from the Mysore district. There is also an increase of 12 remaining on the
register on 31st December 1878, as compared with that on 31st December 1877.