( 96 )
for the same disease in a like period. For several months the European battalion, a strong
corps of vigorous young men, had not a single admission for primary syphilis, and the
artillery battery had but a total of seven venereal admissions in ten months of residence.
To what are these good results to be attributed? I would deal with the probable
causes in order.
(a.) The sanitary arrangements of the brothels I have constantly watched over—
an irksome duty and needing continual supervision. It has been my aim, and it has
been achieved here, that at all times, day and night, soap, clean water, and towels
should he kept ready in each room in the brothels for the soldiery.
Heretofore, whatever may have been the theory, the practice was that the soldier
washed himself, if he could, in a narrow-necked chatti on the floor of the hut without
soap and without towels.
Now in every room in the brothels a permanent brickwork stand has been erected,
the height of a man's hips, and on this stand the basin is kept ever ready with
water. Soap is always present, and a towel is kept on a nail close by. Cleanliness
has been made easy for every visitor, the only way to secure it for the indifferent and
often lazy soldier.
By repeated visits I have made certain that these precautions have been always
available. I have no doubt of their use.
(b.) Lotions of a simple nature have been made available for the visitors.
(c.) The prostitutes have been instructed to guard themselves against the visits
of diseased men.
(d.) Hand-bills of these patterns have been sent amongst the men :—
READ !!!
Cleanliness and the free use of soap and water are the great safeguards against
contracting contagious diseases.
PRIVATE.
Two diseases are liable to follow intercourse with diseased women, viz.
—
1 st. Syphilis or pox.—Small sores on the yard, beginning as a small scratch, but
most deadly in after-effects, being followed by swellings in the groin, sore-throat, skin
eruptions, and certain breakdown of constitution.
2
nd. Gonorrhœa or clap.—A discharge of yellow matter from the pipe with great
pain and scalding, followed by stricture.
These diseases are avoided by extreme cleanliness and the free use of soap and
water after intercourse. When disease does appear it should be reported at once and
medical aid obtained. Every hour's delay may cause weeks of illness afterwards.
(e.) Instructions to soldiers.—The men have been often lectured and warned as to
what venereal is, and what the precautions to be used are.
( f.) Unexpected inspections of the prostitutes.— The women have been frequently
inspected in the brothels at a moment's notice, and many diseased women detected.
Unless a raid is made now and then on then brothels, many women so manipulate
themselves as to render the discovery of venereal disease difficult—nay, impossible. I
have little doubt but that every week women escape my examination with disease on
them owing to their using drugs before inspection, and I have no doubt whatever
that women apparently clean and healthy are often diseased and give disease to the
soldier, although passed clean by the inspecting doctor. I know this, for it has often
happened to myself, despite the most careful inspections.
Indeed a brothel may become a centre of disease to the men unless the whole
lock-hospital system be worked by people with zeal and energy, for of all duties I
know it is the most fatiguing and unpleasant duty. The anxiety the lock-hospital
has caused me this year has had a result in a very low sick rate, but such labours
are very trying to a medical officer with other work to do.