the year. The weekly returns of venereal prevalence amongst the soldiers were
regularly received during the year.
The results have, the Medical Officer thinks, been most unsatisfactory ; the ratio
of disease for the year having been 215.9, the mean of the 13 previous years being
103.6 only. The highest ratio was recorded amongst the artillery. Of 310 cases of
disease which occurred amongst the soldiers, 259 are recorded as having been con-
tracted in unnamed localities of Meerut. Of 65 registered women accused of com-
municating disease, only 22 were found diseased on examination. A Sub-Commit-
tee was in existence throughout the year. For the prevention of disease, passes were
withdrawn from women hawking goods for sale in the artillery lines. A military
police, of one non-commissioned officer and four men, had special instructions to
prevent strange women from entering or loitering about the barracks. Medical in-
spections of all unmarried soldiers were effected at uncertain periods—a measure which
resulted in the discovery of several cases of disease amongst them.
The Medical Officer is of opinion that registration in cantonments is very
incomplete. It is supposed to include all prostitutes living there, but a large number
escape the notice of the police. The city registration is merely nominal (an
average of 15 in all), and therefore it is unreasonable to expect satisfactory results,
for the city women can come to the bazaar or the soldiers can easily go to the city.
At the commencement of the year there were 111 names upon the register, at the
end of the year only 74.
The attendance of the women for inspection was fairly good. All absentees
were punished by fine. Amongst the women there was more disease in 1881 than
in 1880—namely, 233 cases as compared with 148. But disease was less difficult of
cure in 1881. Of 41 women newly registered, eight were found diseased on first exa-
mination. A matron is employed as an assistant in the hospital, but not for the
inspection of the women in their houses—a measure in the opinion of the Medical
Officer resulting in no benefit. The Hospital Assistant is sent to inspect the houses
of the women twice a month.
For improved management better police arrangements are suggested, specially
as regards a more complete registration—a duty of the civil police, and the
prevention of illicit intercourse—a duty of the regimental police. It ought not
to be possible for the diseased soldier, as frequently now, to plead the impossibility
of identifying the woman who caused his disease. A permanent strict watch about
the barracks is very necessary, for the women have so long been accustomed to fre-
quent the neighbourhood of barracks, that they will continue to do so until some
special method of prevention is enforced. One European woman, attached to the
artillery, was a cause of disease to the soldiers.
19. The Cantonment Magistrate reports that the Sub-Committee assembled
with great regularity throughout the year. Eight unregistered women were arrested
during the year and all found to be diseased. Four women were punished by impri-
sonment, and four fined for breach of lock hospital rules.
The Cantonment Committee resolved, under date the 28th January, 1882, to
circulate the Lock Hospital Report and Sub-Committee Report for perusal and remarks
previous to submission to the Local Government. Also they requested the Deputy
Surgeon-General to report upon the remarks of the Sub-Committee regarding cases
reported by soldiers, in which women who had caused disease had not been sent to
hospital for examination. (The file does not contain the Sub-Committee Report, or
the Deputy Surgeon General's Report.)
20. The Magistrate of the district regrets the increase of disease reported.
The differing ratio of disease amongst the corps is remarkable, and especially the
unusual prevalence amongst the artillery.
As regards an increased registration, it must be understood that only women
who confess to receiving soldiers' visits are liable to registration. Doubtless many