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LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.
The proportion of sickness to the average strength not only varies in each regiment but
also contrasts unfavorably with the previous year. Moreover, the difference in the amount of
sickness in the 1-21st Fusiliers with a strength of 738 men against 792 in the 2-16th Regiment
is one for which it would perhaps be difficult to assign any satisfactory reason.
Last year the civil detective police was strengthened by an additional constable, thus
increasing their strength from 3 to 4, but even this number does not appear to be sufficient for
the amount of supervision which they have to exercise over an area embracing seven square
miles. That there was ample warrant for an increase to their number is evidenced by the fact,
that during the five months of 1877 three constables detected and brought for registration only
14 new prostitutes, while in the remaining seven months the addition of 1 constable and the
substitution of 3 new men, in lieu of those who were previously on this duty, had the effect of
increasing the number of fresh registrations to 139. Throughout 1878 159 additions were made
to the total. From this there is very little doubt but that a still further increase in the number
of the detectives would be attended with corresponding benefit.
The registered prostitutes of this place are not subject to any fees.
During the year under review the attendance of the women was not regular at the
periodical examinations, which, as stated in previous reports, are held twice a week, viz., on
Tuesdays at Secunderabad and on Thursdays at Trimulgherry.
The average number of prostitutes who attended the weekly examinations was 211·71 as
compared with 133 . 68 in 1877 and 103 . 34 in 1876. The maximum monthly average examined
was 242 . 22 and the minimum 191 . 06. In the preceding year they were 206·51 and 100·8
respectively. The number of prostitutes who absented themselves individually was 211 as
against 70 in 1877. The manner in which the absentees were dealt is thus shown by the
Cantonment Magistrate:—
1877.
Total Individual Absentees 70.
Sentenced to hard labor
...
21
Simple imprisonment
...
...
16
Fined
...
...
...
...
2
Either left the station or had
their names removed
...
31
Total ...
70
1878.
Total Individual Absentees 211.
Number excused
...
. . .
75*
Do. deserted
...
. . .
75
Do. fined
...
...
. . .
Nil.
Do. sentenced to hard labor.
2
Three days' simple imprisonment.
32
Six do. do.
. . .
1
Seven do. do.
...
25
Eight do. do.
...
1
Total ...
211
As a rule diseased women try to evade examination for fear of being detained in the
hospital, and experience has shown that when these women are apprehended and brought up for
examination, they are found to be wholly unfit for association. Moreover a soldier is never
found to betray an unregistered prostitute for infecting him. In fact, he frequently seeks to
screen her by blaming women whose names are on the register, and who on examination are
found to be quite free from disease.
There is one point which calls for notice here; it is the large number of prostitutes whose
names have been removed from the register. The following figures for the past two years show
the number of women whose names have been struck off the roll:—
Years.
J a n u a r y .
F e b r u a r y .
Ma r c h .
Ap r i l .
May. June.
J u l y .
A u g u s t .
S e p t e m b e r .
O c t o b e r .
N o v e m b e r .
D e c e m b e r .
Total.
1877
...
...
...
...
1 ... ... 10
3
1
1
8
5
2
8
5
44
1878
...
...
...
...
5 28
5 10 15
6 25
6
3 26
3 ...
132
The difference in the two years is very great, being 88 more than last year. Removal of
names from the register is sanctioned on the prostitute affording security for not practising her
C a l l i n g
f o r t h e f u t u r e . B u t i t i s d o u b t f u l h o w f a r t h e y a d h e r e t o t h e i r p r o m i s e , b e c a u s e , o n a
recent occasion, it was brought to light that a woman who obtained this concession resumed
* Thirty-one of this number are stated by the Cantonment Magistrate as " returned back to hospital for exam-
ination on the following weeks," but it is not explained how they were dealt with; it is presumed that they were
excused; hence their inclusion under this head.
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