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is carried to the stations. Mark the records of any hill station, in regard to venereal
prevalence. Year after year the evil increases. Until now in 1882, we have, for Rani-
khet a ratio of 878 . 5, against 153·0 before lock hospitals were opened. And for Chak-
ráta a ratio of 366 . 6 against 142 . 0. It is not likely that the women of the hills were
absent when the soldiers first arrived.
At Sitapur (para. 60) appears the record, that fully a third of all the soldiers'
disease of the year is admitted in one month. In explanation, it appears, that this
arose out of the coming from England of a new regiment, the men of which brought
disease, chiefly contracted at Deolali and on the line of march.
At Naini Tal it appears (para. 70) that out of 286 men who joined the depôt at
the commencement of the season, 16 came with veneral disease established.
104. Experience has shown that until, of a certainty, soldiers can be hindered
from taking disease from the unregistered women of the country, and the registered
women can be hindered from taking disease from the native men of the country, the
lock hospital scheme cannot prosper. A certain and very real amount of good, has
resulted from the expenditure entailed, in that a vast amount of venereal disease
amongst the women has been cured. But apparently no appreciable good has resulted
as regards the prevention of disease amongst the soldiers. It is for Government to
determine whether under these circumstances the expenditure involved should con-
tinue.
Already the order has gone forth forbidding the provision of absolutely neces-
sary accommodation. Under these circumstances it seems reasonable to suppose that
the best course would be to abandon the scheme altogether. And to make the Com-
manding Officer, and the Medical Officer, of the regiment responsible for the preven-
tion of excessive venereal disease amongst the soldiers, as in the days before the lock
hospitals were opened.
105. The measures recommended for the improved working of the scheme in
the reports of the year 1882 may be summed up as follows :—
1st,—The grant of free quarters to the women. On the grounds that such measure
of encouragement would ensure the registration of a greater number and better class
of women. And would, at the same time ; effect the bringing together of the women,
to their more perfect management. Such recommendation comes from Allahabad
(para. 2 and para. 4); from Ca wnpore (para 7); from Agra (para. 13) ; from Meerut
(para. 17) ; from Benares (para. 43) ; from Moradabad (para. 47).; from Roorkee (para.
67).; from Chakráta (para. 82); from Fatehgarh (para. 84).
2 nd ,—The appointment of a committee of selected officers to enquire into and
report upon the whole subject. Recommended at Meerut (para. 22); at Lucknow
(para. 29) ; at Roorkee (para. 68).
3rd ,—A more stringent prevention of the soldiers' intercourse with the unregis
-tered women of the country,—by improved police action, by a more severe punish-
ment of offending women and offending soldiers. This is a pretty general recommen-
dation of long standing. But from Bareilly (para. 32) there comes a special recom-
mendation this year. To the effect—that the remedy for this trouble lies, more in
dealing with the women than punishing the soldier. And that an unregistered
woman, found consorting with or soliciting a soldier, should be liable to detention in a
reformatory, pending recognizance by a responsible person.
106. In regard to these measures, of the first it may be said that, notwithstanding
its extreme importance and promise of better result, it cannot be effected until the
necessary expenditure is allowed. Of the second, I should say that the appointment
of the committee referred to was advised in para. 8 of the Government review of the
lock hospital report of the year 1881 ; and I am not competent to record any opi-
nion upon the subject until directed to. do so. But I may say that, should such com-
8