•
He thinks that, owing to the exceptional conditions of the year, disease would
have been more rife and virulent than it has been but for the attention of the committee
and authorities and the vigilance of the police. The Native Doctor is kind and attentive
to the patients and has been efficient in his work.
63. The Magistrate summarises the report.
64. The Commissioner notes that the marked decrease of syphilis amongst the
soldiers is satisfactory. In the three years, 1876-78, the cases of syphilis have number-
ed 59, 40, and 19 respectively.
(12)—CHAKRÁTA.
65. During the year 1878 a monthly average of 32 women remained on the
register against 24 in 1877.
The results of the management have been satisfactory. For the five years, 1874-78,
the ratios of venereal cases per 1,000 of the daily strength of European garrison have
been 59, 58, 112, 98, and 162 respectively. This does not denote progressive improve-
ment, but as compared with . other stations the result for 1878 is satisfactory.
66. The Medical Officer reports that much of the disease seen amongst the sol-
diers was contracted during the march from the plains to Chakráta.
The sub-committee assembled once a month regularly. The women have been
well managed, and were regular in their attendance for examination. During the first
few months of the year there was much disease amongst the registered women; this
was rapidly reduced under treatment. The lock-hospital at Chakráta was broken up
in December, 1877, when the English troops departed from the station, and re-opened
in March, 1878, when the troops returned.
67. The Cantonment Magistrate notes that during the year means for ablution
were provided in the registered women's rooms. He also forwards copies of two
reports addressed to the Commissioner, stating that clandestine prostitution is very
difficult to prevent in Chakráta.
Its prevention must depend upon the strictest regimental supervision: for com-
manding officers are excessively tenacious of the privacy of their lines, and, if native
police wait about the barracks, quarrels will occur.
The Cantonment Magistrate recommends—.
(1) The entertainment of a force of sanitary police.
(2) The arrest and punishment of all native women guilty of clandestine pros
-ti tution.
(3.) The extension of the lock-hospital rules to a distance of four miles from can-
tonment boundary.
(4.) An increased cleanliness of the registered women and their better accom-
Modation. At present the rooms are unwholesome dens, the women generally living
in the most filthy state.
The advantage to the soldier of their splendid barracks is neutralized by their -
constant visits to these dens.
68. The Superintendent of the Min forwards the reports without remark.
69. The Commissioner notes that the medical report is very brief. Probably
clandestine prostitution exists, but its existence is not shown by the Cantonment Magis-
trate. In his second report this officer shows that four Simla women are known
to have courted clandestine intercourse with the soldiers; that hill women, at first
disinclined to such conduct, have gradually overcome their dislike to Europeans.
Low-caste unregistered women may cause disease to the soldiers, but the better
orders of women are free from suspicion in. this direction.