( 23 )
9 1.
D u r i n g t h e y e a r o f r e p o r t v e r y l i t t l e h a s b e e n d o n e t o i m p r o v e t h e l o c k
hospital accommodation at Chakráta, Roorkee, or Allahabad—places from which
very long standing complaint, of the inefficiency or inconvenient situation of the ac-
commodation, has been recorded. From Chakráta it is reported (paragraph 77) that
the landlord has improved the building, but that its situation in the centre of the bazar
and its general character make it absolutely unsuited for the requirements of a lock
hospital.
From Roorkee it is reported (paragraph 63) that the lock hospital is a miserable
place, but answers its purpose fairly well. Yet the construction of a new hospital,
formerly sanctioned, is recommended.
From Allahabad it is reported this year (paragraph 2) that the lock hospital
accommodation is sufficient and in good repair.
From every other station the report in regard to accommodation is satisfactory.
But from Sháhjahánpur there comes the complaint (paragraphs 52 and 54) that the
proposed new hospital has not been provided ; yet nothing is reported as to the
absolute unfitness of the existing accommodation. It appears therefore that the
urgent requirement for improvement in this direction is at Chakráta: and it cannot
be doubtful that something ought to be done there to take the hospital, with its in-
mates, out of the centre of the bazar.
92. As regards the medical management the reports are generally satisfactory.
At some stations there has been a rather frequent change of Medical Officers. At Agra
the charge changed hands three times, at Naini Tal four times. Such frequent
change, although perhaps unavoidable, is very undesirable, as experience in regard
to the working of the scheme and knowledge of the women concerned, is impor-
tant to the Medical Officer as an element of successful management.
From Fatehgarh it is reported (paragraph 82) that the charge was held by a
native hospital assistant. And further it is reported, in the same paragraph, that
some of the registered women never present themselves for examination, and all were
extremely irregular in attendance for that purpose. It seems essential that a com-
missioned Medical Officer should hold this charge always, to ensure the proper control
and obedience of the women, which a native officer, however well intentioned, can
hardly ensure.
I suppose the reason for this native management at Fatehgarh arises out of the
fact that the pay for it is only Rs. 20 per mensem. Yet, as a matter of fact, there
would be nothing unreasonable, seeing the cause for which the hospital is established,
in requiring the Medical Officer of the soldiers to manage it, although the money
gain to him is so little. Other gains, which cannot but weigh with a medical man,
are great.
93. 93. As regards the conduct and diseases of the registered women, the general re-
port of their conduct is favourable ; as a rule, they were obedient and submissive to
t r e a t me n t . Ye t t h e r e a r e e x c e p t i o n s t o t h i s r u l e . Fr o m A l l a h a b a d
( p a r a g r a p h 2 )
it is reported that some of the women removed their names from the register on plea of
marriage, and yet continued their consort with soldiers: From Cawnpore it is reported
(paragraph 8) that diseased women were suspected of removing their names from the
register to retire to the city for cure. From Agra it is reported (paragraph 15) that
registered women on leave of absence remained in the city occupied as prostitutes, and
of ten women who so behaved seven returned, to their registered condition, diseased.
Also that the city registered women were most irregular in the attendance for
examination. From Roorkee it is reported (paragraph 64) that women in hospital caused
disease to three soldiers. From Fatehgarh it is reported (paragraph 82) that the
women did not present themselves regularly for examination, as fully noted above.