( 19 )
66. The Cantonment Magistrate offers the remark that the Medical Officer's
opinion as to the source of the soldier's disease is correct, The rules were carefully
carried out with satisfactory results. Three registered women were punished by
fines, aggregating Rs. 7, for the offence of removing their names from the register and
yet continuing their business of prostitution at Roorkee.
67. The Magistrate of the district summarises the report, quoting necessary
facts and figures.
He cannot agree with the Cantonment Magistrate in thinking the results satis
factory ; for the ratio of disease amongst the soldiers was as high as 302 per 1,000 of
daily average strengh. Judged by this only efficient test, the result was deplorable,
when compared with the better results of previous years. The unsuitable situation
of the hospital is generally admitted. But if access to it is carefully prevented, the
position of the hospital, within the bazaar, is a matter of minor consideration. The
cause of failure here Must be looked for in another direction. Probably failure was
due to two causes, the insufficient number of registered women, and the consort of
soldiers with unregistered women.
It may be that the registered women were unattractive. It is certain they
numbered only 23 of available average, whilst 40 appears to be the average which
should have existed. It is quite impossible that direct steps should be taken to
increase the number of registered women. Registration involves many annoyances
and doubtless pecuniary loss.
These annoyances may be inevitable, and as a set off against them, it might be
advantageous to allow the women rent-free quarters. Experience shows conclusively
that soldiers do consort with unregistered women, and so contract loathsome disease,
notwithstanding the offer to them of women able to satisfy their desires with safety.
And the reason for this has yet to be discovered. Its discovery merits careful
consideration on the part of military authorities. Possibly the present system fails,
by reason of its elimination, of all romantic element, from the business of inter
course.
If the reasons were known—and they could be ascertained by the Military autho
rities—a remedy might be provided. Now, it is obvious, that a system, unpopular
with the women, and so little successful with the soldiers, cannot be considered
satisfactory.
68. The Commissioner is of opinion that the results of the year's management
are very unsatisfactory. The registered women are too few. The construction of the
new hospital has been forbidden, apparently in the Military Department. Experi
ence seems to teach, that, the money and labour expended in this direction, is not co
m p e n s a t e d b y r e s u l t i n g b e n e f i t s .
The local authorities are unable to indicate the causes of failure, or to point to a
remedy. Here we have an instance of a cantonment where the system has been
managed, by the same officers, in 1881 and in 1882. In one year the results are good,
in the other bad. And yet no explanation of the difference is forthcoming. Until
the causes of failure are thoroughly inquired into, by specially appointed officers,
the Commissioner is not sanguine of improvement.
14.—NAINI TAL.
69. During the year 1882, a monthly average of 25 women remained on the
register, against 27 in 1881.
The results of the management have been very unsatisfactory. During the nine
years, 1874-82, the ratios of admissions to hospital for venereal disease, amongst the
European garrison, have been 275, 95,141, 255, 187, 345, 293, 238, and 340 per 1,000
of daily average strength.