32
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE
There is no Cantonment Sub-Committee : the supervision of the rules is carried out by
the Cantonment Magistrate and the Medical Officer.
The control of prostitution is under the supervision of the police, but as a special
measure, a written statement is taken from every soldier reporting sick from venereal disease
as to when, where, and from whom he contracted his illness. The patient then proceeds to the
bazaar in company with a constable to whom he points out the woman who communicated the
disease to him, she is thereupon taken to the Lock Hospital, examined and (if found diseased)
admitted for treatment.
In my opinion the registration has been efficient. It embraces all classes of women
practising prostitution. It extends over an area of more than 5 square miles. The number of
fresh admissions to the register during the year 1878 has been 8 as compared with 16 registered
during 1877.
No registration fees are levied.
The women have been, as a rule, regular at the weekly examination. All cases of non-
attendance are brought to the notice of the Cantonment Magistrate, who punishes them with
imprisonment (simple) should they deserve it. No fines are awarded.
All the prostitutes are examined at the Lock Hospital weekly, and if found diseased they
are admitted and treated.
There has been a decrease in the number of admissions for the following disease during
the year : primary syphilis 29 as compared with 39 of the year previous ; and an increase in
the case of gonorrhœa, there being 79 cases during 1878 as compared with 52 in 1877.
The total admissions have been greater although the average strength of the prostitutes
has been less. Thus, during 1877 there were 94 admissions, average strength 42.75 ; this
year 108, average strength 40.76. The diseases have been of a very mild type.
The relations between the venereal diseases contracted by the men and those treated in
the Lock Hospital have been as follows :—During 1877 out of 17 cases of primary syphilis
treated among the soldiers 7 diseased women were pointed out by the men and placed under
treatment. Out of 33 cases of gonorrhœa contracted by the troops 18 women were pointed out
and treated in the Lock Hospital. During 1878 of 20 admissions for primary syphilis in
the Depôt Hospital 17 women were pointed out, and when examined found to be diseased and
admitted for treatment. Of 16 cases of gonorrhœa, among the soldiers 9 women were pointed
out and treated. No admission into the Lock Hospital has taken place for a non-venereal
affection, and no woman has been detained owing to her monthly illness.
Extract from the Annual Report of the Lock Hospital, Madras, by
Dr. H. STANBROUGH.
The number of patients remaining on the 31st December 1877 were—
Europeans
...
...
...
...
. . .
2
Natives
...
...
... 101
Total ... 103
There were treated during the year 1878, Europeans and East Indians 39, Natives 1,014,
showing a total of 1,156 in-patients. Of these, 38 Europeans and East Indians and 1,010
Natives were cured, and 3 Europeans and East Indians and 98 Natives remaining under treat-
ment on the 31st December 1878.
The average daily sick was 3½ Europeans and East Indians and 109¾ Natives.
No deaths occurred during the year amongst the Europeans and East Indians, but
7 amongst the Natives, as noted below.
1. A case of syphilis, one day in hospital, committed suicide by deliberately throwing
herself into the well.
2. A case of gonorrhœa from heat-apoplexy.
A case of syphilis do. do.
4. 1. Gonorrhœa with atrophy.
3. Syphilis with atrophy.
The principal diseases of the new admissions are as follows :—
Europeans. Natives. Total.
Syphilis, primary
...
...
...
...
7
618
625
6
49
55
Do. secondary
...
...
...
0
3
3
Suppurating bubo
...
...
...
. . .
24
278
302
Gonorrhœa...
...
...
...
0
3
3
Ulcus vaginæ
...
...
...
...
. . .