( 16 )
(13)—JHÁNSI.
70. During the year 1878 a monthly average of 27 women remained on the
register against 16 in 1877.
The results of the management have been satisfactory. During the five years,
1874-78, the ratios of venereal cases per 1,000 of the daily average of the European
garrison at Jhánsi have been 112, 58, 185, 89, and 188 respectively; this does not
show a progressive improvement, but by comparison with results at other stations it is
satisfactory.
71. The Medical Officer reports that of the 78 total admissions to hospital amongst
the soldiers, four were cases of relapse and 16 cases of disease contracted on
the march to Jhánsi. The remaining 58 cases were due to unlicensed prostitution,
especially when the troops moved out of the station for field exercise.
The steps taken to prevent unlicensed prostitution have been unsuccessful, there
having been no limit to its practice during the year. Three or four unregistered
women, old offenders, were arrested and found diseased. But it is notorious that the
neighbourhood was infested by unregistered women who caused disease to the
soldiers.
Both registered and unregistered women have been admitted to hospital. Seve-
ral of the latter were found diseased to an incredible extent, and to the admission
of these women the increase of cases amongst the women is due.
The medical officer is of opinion that a greater degree of severity should be
exercised towards women found guilty of practising illicit prostitution. He thinks
European police should be employed to arrest these women, as no soldier will allow
himself, or the woman, to be arrested by a native constable. Until a stop is put to
illicit intercourse the lock-hospital management cannot be successful.
The medical officer thinks the soldiers caused disease amongst the registered
women.
72. The Cantonment Sub-Committee note that the prevalence of venereal disease
amongst the soldiers cannot be due to unlicensed prostitution only. Principally it is
due to that circumstance, but the registered women probably caused some disease.
As regards the contraction of disease by the registered women from the soldiers
this is hardly borne out by the fact that, whilst amongst the soldiers 51 cases of
gonorrhœa occurred, there were only 8 cases of that disease amongst the women.
The Committee however acknowledge the extensive prevalence of unlicensed prosti-
tution and the unsatisfactory results of the measures taken to prevent it. Doubtless
the rules in this respect have been evaded, although the subject has been anxiously
considered by the Committee, who have been assisted by the Civil authorities and
police. Ten women have been punished during the year for this offence.
But Jhánsi Cantonment is surrounded by Native States, and near to a large city
controlled by native jurisdiction; therefore, it is most difficult to prevent women
straying towards cantonments, where there are many ravines and nalas.
The punishment of unlicensed prostitution according to the existing law is totally
inadequate, and the committee recommend that the eight days' imprisonment now
permitted should be increased to six months, and this for the offence of soliciting a
soldier. There can be no doubt that in almost every instance of a native woman
accosting a soldier she has a guilty purpose.
The high prices ruling during the year have greatly increased the number or
women who solicit the soldier. The subject is one of great difficulty. The Military
authorities have issued strict orders to their men, but unless the female delinquents
are more severely punished, unlicensed prostitution will continue unchecked.
11