I P / 3 0 / H C , 4 .
FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WORKING OF THE LOCK-
HOSPITALS IN THE NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES AND
OUDH FOR THE YEAR 1878.
THIS report will commence as usual with a summary of the results and
remarks recorded in the annual papers submitted to Government by the local author-
ities concerned with the management and improvement of the lock-hospital scheme.
The hospitals here, and in the returns accompanying this report, are ranged in
order of importance as regards the number of women controlled.
(1)-CAWNPORE.
2. During the year 1878, a monthly average of 161 women remained on the
register against 135 in 1877.
The result of the management is unsatisfactory.
3. The ratios of admissions to hospital amongst the European garrison for the
five years (1871 to 1878) have been 439.5, 266.0, 201.9, 212.3, and. 303.0 per 1,000
of strength respectively.
4. The Medical Officer reports that three changes of management have charac-
terized the year. He thinks the comparative increase of venereal disease amongst the
soldiers during the year may be accounted for by the number of unlicensed women
who come from the city to visit the soldiers, and from famine-afflicted women who
have practised prostitution as a means of livelihood.
As the result of enquiry, he believes that there is an exceptional amount of venereal
disease amongst the native population of Cawnpore city, and is of opinion that until
the soldiers are forbidden to enter the city, or the city women to visit cantonments, the
rate of venereal disease amongst the former cannot be lowered. The cases of syphilis
seen during the year were not of a virulent character.
5. The Cantonment Committee consider the report satisfactory, notwithstanding
the increase of disease recorded, this increase having been due in all probability to the
fact that many women of the poorer classes were driven in time of unusual scarcity
to eke out a livelihood by prostitution. All registered women reported absent from
inspection have been punished when found. The committee recommend the establish-
ment of a separate city lock-hospital, or that, at least, the cantonment funds should
be relieved from the expense incurred in maintaining city women while in hospital.
6. The Magistrate notes that although disease has increased, its type has been
mild. He thinks some portion of the increase may have been due to the influence of
high prices upon women not usually addicted to prostitution ; but points out other
probable causes, such as the happening of a local fair in February, when the admissions
to hospital were most numerous : the complete change of garrison which occurred.
in October, when the admissions were next highest in number, and when the whole-
some rule placing the city out of bounds was lost sight of for a short time, The
police arrested 65 unlicensed prostitutes during the year.
7. The Commissioner thinks the result of the management unsatisfactory, and
concurs with the Magistrate in thinking that famine prevalence does not acconnt for
all the increase of disease recorded. He thinks the complete change of garrison, and.
the changes of management which occurred during the year, must have contributed to
the unfavourable result. The Commissioner thinks commanding officers of regiments
on arrival at Cawnpore should be informed of the injurious results invariably attending
the granting of passes to visit the city, and be warned to take special precautions on
the occasion of large local fairs.
The 65 women arrested by the police were found to be diseased. The Commis
- s i o n e r t h i n k s t h e y s h o u l d
h a v e b e e n
r e g i s t e r e d i f
t h e y s o l i c i t e d s o l d i e r s
t o p r o s t i t u t i o n . 1