( 9 )
38. The Commissioner summarises the report and returns, and records the
opinion that large numbers of the poorest classes of women adopted prostitution dur-
ing the late scarcity as a means of procuring food.
(6)— MEERUT.
39. During the year 1878 a monthly average of 107 women remained on the
register against 84 in 1877. The results of the management have been very unsatis-
factory. For the five years, 1874-78, the ratios of venereal cases amongst the Euro-
pean garrison per 1,000 of strength have been 179, 159, 84, 144, and 243 respective-
ly. Omitting cases contracted elsewhere than Meerut, the ratio of 1878 falls to 202.
Omitting cases of secondary disease, the ratio falls to 189.
40. The Medical Officer reports of the increase of disease amongst the soldiers
as most remarkable and unsatisfactory. The prevalence was principally in the artil-
lery and infantry, the cavalry having comparatively few cases.
The probable causes have been the employment of large numbers of coolie women
on the public works in cantonments, and the high price of food, which has induced
many begging women to come to cantonments. A stricter supervision by the regi-
mental police is recommended.
Extracts from the proceedings of the sub-committee during the year tend to prove
that the disease complained of was not contracted from the registered women. Nothing
was left undone to check the prevalence of disease by the Cantonment Magistrate and
medical officer, but without avail. Of 89 women added to the register 26 were found
diseased on first examination. And to these, and other women like them driven by
famine and poverty to prostitution, the excess of venereal disease in 1878 is due. The
medical officer brings prominently to notice the vigorous measures adopted by the
Officer Commanding Her Majesty's 15th Hussars for the prevention of disease amongst
his men, and with marked good result. And the medical officer records the opinion
that the marked good health enjoyed by this regiment in the present campaign has
been due to the preservation of the men from venereal poison.
A great increase of disease amongst the women was noticed in 1878, when 149
cases were treated against 79 in 1877.
41. The Cantonment Magistrate reports that the sub-committee assembled
during the year with great regularity for the purpose of watching the working of
the rules. Four women were apprehended during the year for illicit prostitution,
punished and registered. Fifty-nine convictions for disobedience of lock-hospital
rules were also effected.
42. The Magistrate and Collector reports that, as the result of careful enquiry,
he is convinced that prostitution is not practised in the villages around the cantonments.
The police watch the villages, and the Superintendent of Police reports that
soldiers do not visit them, although he cannot state that the low-caste women of
these villages do not cohabit with the soldiers, for they carry wood, milk, &c., into
cantonments and work as coolies there, and all low-caste women are more or less
open to prostitution. The prevention of illicit prostitution within cantonments rests
in the hands of the Military authorities,
The Magistrate and Collector is also of opinion that no soldier visits a prostitute
of the city, although 26 city prostitutes are registered. Having himself enquired, the
Magistrate maintains that not one of these 26 women is visited by soldiers.
The result of the year's management has been very unsuccessful, and if in any
way it -was due to inefficiency of regimental police as regards the artillery and infan-
try, that is much to be regretted : for it is now generally admitted that the Military
authorities much exercise the main check to venereal disease.
Upon these grounds the Magistrate and Collector recommends that the whole
control of the lock-hospital administration in cantonments should rest entirely with
the Officer Commanding the Station and a medical officer under military orders.