( 8 )
27. The results of the management have been very satisfactory. For the six
years, 1874-79, the ratios of admissions to hospital for venereal disease amongst the
Europeon garrison have been 298, 389, 321, 206, 292, and 171 per 1,000 of strength
respectively.
28. The Medical Officer reports that new beds have been supplied to the hospital.
In all other respects matters have remained as in previous years. The sub-committee
assembled monthly, considered the state and extent of venereal prevalence amongst the
soldiers, and adopted means for the prevention of any apparent source of disease.
The authorities have exercised unceasing vigilance in the same direction with
much resulting benefit. Some of the cantonment roads, and at times the city itself,
have been placed out of bounds to the soldier. All drafts have been medically
inspected on arrival. Diseased soldiers have been asked to identify the women who
caused their disease. The registered women have been strictly overlooked. A special
military police, composed under orders from army headquarters, of soldiers recently
cured of venereal disease was organized, and particularly cautioned to be watchful
against unlicensed prostitutes in or near the barracks. Soldiers recently cured also
suffered restriction of liberty to within the area near to the barracks.
All known prostitutes of cantonments were registered. Women suspected of
prostitution and found lurking in retired places of cantonments were sent before the
Cantonment Magistrate, and under his orders received into the hospital for examina-
tion. Almost invariably women so received were found diseased. Of 52 women
newly registered during the year, only six were found healthy on first examination.
The registered women have been regular in attendance at the bi-weekly examinations
which were most thoroughly effected, to the total number of 12,480 examinations in
the year. Amongst these registered women 433 admissions to hospital occurred.
In addition to the above 46 unregistered women were admitted to hospital, 20 of whom
were suffering from primary syphilis of markedly severe form, as compared with the
mild form of that disease seen amongst registered women. This comparative severity
of syphilis in unregistered women may account for the continuance of severe types of
the disease amongst the soldiers, The remaining 26 unregistered women were admitted
for gonorrhœa. The chief diseases amongst the registered women were leucorrhœa,.a
a harmless complaint, and local venereal ulcer, a disease of comparatively insignificant
nature. A perfect freedom from disease cannot be attained to, but immunity from serious
disease, both amongst the soldiers and the registered women, may be expected under
the existing system, which provides registered women of clean and healthy condition
to replace unregistered women of usually dirty and diseased tissues.
A Dhái is employed who is held responsible for the good behaviour of the women
and the cleanliness of their persons and houses.
The Hospital Assistant continued to perform his duties very satisfactorily.
Of the total European garrison at Lucknow it is probable that about 2,000 are
young unmarried men, a class prone to indulgence and susceptible to disease, and yet
the lock hospital system has been able to effect much prevention of disease—the
ratios of admissions to hospital for venereal disease having gradually fallen during
the last 20 years from 318 . 0 per 1,000 of strength to 199·0—with such continuous
good results, notwithstanding the disturbing element of short service, it seems clear
that the repressive measures and systematic control of the lock hospital system,
is acting with considerable force in a salutary direction. Formerly the authorities
thought venereal disease a necessary evil as proof of the vigour of their men, and
were unwilling to enforce repressive measures. Now the authorities think differently,
and cordially co-operate in carrying out the rules.
The extra police duty recently required of men cured of venereal disease has
proved to be a salutary measure, and should be persisted in.