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evil, the services of steady men of high character are required, and this is not likely
to be, generally, the status of soldiers who have suffered from venereal disease.
109. The expenditure on account of the lock hospitals in 1881 exceeded
that for 1880 by Rs. 3,985. This increase was due chiefly to the facts,—l st—That
the hospital at Sitapur was open in 1881 at a cost of Rs. 1,210: during 1880 it was
closed. 2nd —To increased expenditure at Agra, amounting to Rs. 1,136, chiefly under
the head of "all other expenses," which includes diet of patients in hospital. 3 rd—
To increased expenditure at Roorkee, amounting to Rs. 945, owing to the continuous
working of the hospital throughout the year, whilst in 1880 it was closed. for part of
the year. 4th —To expenditure at Chakráta, amounting to Rs. 294, owing to
increased cost of diet for patients in hospital—averaging eight in 1881, against one in.
1880. 5th —To increased expenditure at Ranikhet for "other expenses," amounting to
Rs. 446. The total portion of the expenditure borne by Government decreased,
however, in 1881, by Rs. 1,399—owing to the increased share of charges borne by
the Cawnpore cantonment funds during the year. But for the increased charges, at
Roorkee, Ránikhet, and Chakráta, which fell upon Government, the decrease of
expenditure from imperial sources would have been very satisfactory.
During the year 1881 the average cost of each registered woman exceeded that
of 1880 by Rs. 3-9-5. The cost of each woman subjected to examination increased
by Rs. 4-8-0, and of each case of disease treated by Rs. 0-5-7. The figures testify
to a lessened economy of management in 1881.
110. In para. 102 of my report for 1880 I submitted, for the favourable consi-
deration of Government, a suggestion favouring the transfer of the duty of annual
report upon the lock hospitals to the Army Medical Department—a change likely to
result in improved management. And the Government, in para. 11 of its review,
dated 4th July, 1881, was pleased to intimate that the desired change might be
justly entertained, and the question submitted for consideration to the Military
Department. As no further orders have issued, I have prepared the report as usual.
But I desire to urge the justness and probable advantage of requiring the prepara-
tion of this report in the Army Medical Department. As matters of fact, its pre-
paration, which entails a considerable correspondence, chiefly owing to want of
uniformity in the returns used, seriously hinders the preparation of my more impor-
tant annual sanitary report. The Medical Officers of the scheme almost all belong
to the Army Medical Department. The management is in the hands of the Canton-
ment Committees. The endeavour exists entirely in the interest of the soldiers—it is
a Military endeavour without doubt, and as such would, I believe, be more advantage-
ously dealt with by the Army Medical authorities.
A Medical Officer in civil employ cannot with propriety take serious notice
of. or properly condemn, facts of management requiring that of treatment. His
mildest remonstrances even, as in the case of Naini Tal this year, are made subject
of complaint or dispute. Like all prosperous undertakings, the lock hospital scheme
requires a master. As yet, it has laboured under the disadvantage of possessing many
advisers, not helped by any vigorous competent management. No two places have
had like method of proceeding. The competent form of management can come only
from Army Medical control, which should include the important element of report to
superior authority.
POINTS REQUIRING THE ESPECIAL NOTICE OF GOVERNMENT.
111. The points in this report calling for the especial notice of Government
are:—
I . — T h e c o n t i n u e d c o m p l a i n t , a s r e g a r d s t h e i n c o n v e n i e n t s i t u a t i o n a n d t h e
insufficient accommodation of the hospital at Allahabad (para. 2). This
very urgent requirement is supported by the General (para. 4), the Magis-
trate (para. 5), and, the Commissioner (para. 6).