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SITAPUR.
During the year 1878, a monthly average of 108 women remained on the
register. Exactly the same number were registered in 1877.
The results of the management have been very unsatisfactory.
The ratios of venereal cases per 1,000 of the European garrison, for the four
years, 1875-78, have been 274, 299, 249, and 332 respectively.
2. The Medical Officer reports that, amongst the registered women, of 304
cases admitted to hospital, 90 were cases of gonorrhœa and 45 cases of syphilis, the
remainder being minor cases of non-venereal disease. Not one case of secondary
dis-ease occurred amongst the women.
Amongst the soldiers, disease, as usual at Sitapur, was very prevalent.
Great part of this disease was due to intercourse of the soldiers with unlicensed
women. The soldiers accused the registered women, unjustly, of causing disease in
many cases, the accused women on examination being, in large proportion, found
healthy. In more than one instance the accusation was attributed to spite, the woman
having refused to cohabit with the soldier for so small a sum as one anna. In the
summer months soldiers might frequently be seen in groves in the evening time,
cohabiting with unregistered women. And few of these women were apprehended,
because the soldiers beat any constable who tried to do it. Soldiers were reported
more than once as present in the bazaar at midnight and at all hours of the morning,
while Khairabad town and the villages around cantonments were constantly resorted
to by the soldiers. No restrictions of any kind being placed upon their liberty.
Tickets were granted to several women before they had been examined. After
examination they were found diseased.
As disease increased amongst the soldiers, the women were examined twice a
week. For the prevention of disease, in a station so notorious for venereal prevalence
as Sitapur, the medical officer recommends that restrictions should be placed there
on the liberty of the soldier.
The police cannot check the practice of illicit prostitution, by beggar and coolie
women, because of the widespread site over which the evil extends, and because the
soldiers resort to violence to hinder the apprehension of women offending in this res-
pect. The registered women are well managed : they have been taught to guard
against disease by cleanliness ; they have not shown a high ratio of admissions for
venereal disease proper. It remains to guard the soldier against himself.
As restrictions are placed upon him for the prevention of sun-stroke, so he
should suffer restrictions for the prevention of venereal disease.
3. The Cantonment Committee regret the increase of disease, and believe it
was due to the fact that, owing to famine prevalence, a large number of women pros-
tituted themselves to obtain food. Every possible measure, short of placing close res-
triction on the mens' movements, was taken to prevent the increase of disease. Soldiers,
after dusk, were not allowed to wander beyond limits bounded by regimental patrols.
Detective police were employed. Unexpected check rolls taken at night-time. The
committee commend the medical officer's efficient performance of his lock hospital
duties.
4. The Deputy Surgeon-General, A. M. D., records the opinion that great res-
trictions should be imposed on their men by commanding officers whenever venereal
disease is very prevalent. Especially G. O. No. 431 of 1878 should be strictly car-
ried out.
5. The Deputy Surgeon-General, I. M. D., is of opinion that there was quite
suff icient disease amongst the registered women to account for the disease which pre-
vailed amongst the soldiers.