( 24 )
increase continued amongst companies of soldiers living in camp at the rifle range.
This disease was virulent and undoubtedly contracted from women of villages neigh
-
bouring the camp."
From Benares (para. 39) :—" The prevalence was due, in great measure, to the
fact that the infantry in camp at the rifle range contracted a large amount of
disease from village women."
From Jhánsi (para. 66) :—" The unusual amount of disease discovered amongst the
newly-arrived soldiers was probably contracted on the march." Again (para. 67):—" The
work of the last half of the year was injuriously affected by disease contracted on the
march. Exactly the same thing occurred in January, 1879, when troops marched
into Jhánsi from Gwalior."
9 9 .
A g a i n t h e e v i d e n c e i s v e r y u n f a v o u r a b l e .
100. As regards the opportunity or necessity experienced by the registered
women to receive the visits of native men :
—
From Agra it is reported (para. 12) " that the registered women reside wherever
they please, and the soldier finds this an excuse for wandering all over the city. The
establishment of a chukla or brothel is recommended."
From Benares (para. 39) :—" The registered women chiefly receive the visits of
native men. These women live in scattered places of their own selection, and can
-
not be hindered from receiving visits of natives. The soldier, knowing this, prefers
to take his chance with village women." " Again (para 41) : —" The soldiers must
be made to support the women, so that they may not be driven to accept the visits
of natives."
From Moradabad it is reported (para. 44) :—" that no Cantonment bazaar exists
for the registered women to live in ; therefore the soldiers visit the city whenever they
like. The establishment of a Cantonment place of residence for the women is recom
-
mended."
From Sháhjahanpur :—"The registered women living in the regimental bazaar
have been too few, but owing to the partiality of the soldiers for unregistered women
a larger number could not gain a living there."
From Fatehgarh (para. 79) " the establishment of a chukla or brothel has been
recommended".
101.
In this last instance, also, the reports still witness to a continuance of the evil
complained of.
And taking the evidence in its entirety, I think it may be safely concluded that
very little of permanent improvement has yet been effected, as against any of these
great causes of failure so persistently complained of. Such a result cannot possibly
be satisfactory, and least so to the reporting officer.
Certainly I can say that no such disheartening work has ever fallen to my lot as
the preparation of these reports. Powerless to improve where improvement is
required, I have had to rest satisfied with statement and appeal. Indeed, granted
the power of management, it is not within the capacity of any Medical Officer to
effect success.
That capacity centres entirely in the Officers Commanding regiments, batteries,
or detachments. And until this is thoroughly recognized and acted on as a fixed
principle, the lock hospital endeavour will languish in failure.
Without any shadow of doubt it may be affirmed that a Commanding Officer,
alive to the harm of venereal complaint amongst his men and urgently bent on
preventing its prevalence, can realize very good results in this direction.