( 8 )
a rule they- were cases of, freshly contracted disease. (Yet the Medical Officer has,
deducted all these cases, together with all the cases contracted at the places named
other than Meerut, from the total of admissions to hospital recorded, and from the
figures of remainder, contrasted with the mean strength, calculates that them ratio of
admissions to hospital for the year was 82.77 per 1,000 ; and, judged by this stand-
ard, he thinks the result of the mangement is most satisfactory, which it no doubt'
is. But for comparison with the results in other stations, it is absolutely necessary
to calculate the ratio of prevalence from the figures of actual admissions and of daily
average strength for the 365 days of the year. So calculated—and that is the method
pursued everywhere else—the results are less favourable.
There can be little doubt that the registered women have been well managed at
Meerut—their diminished record of disease testifies to that. But lock hospital man-
agement goes far beyond this, even to the limit of requiring from the regimental
officers the prevention of disease on. the line of march.)
19. The Cantonment Magistrate reports that no woman was apprehended during
the year for practising illicit prostitution ; but five women were fined. Rs. 23, " out of
which, in default of payment of fine, two were sentenced to 15 days' simple imprison-
ment and fine realized Rs. 3."
20. The Magistrate of Meerut submits the report with a record of opinion that
the results are most satisfactory. From the figures provided, disease is shown to
have decreased in all three corps present at Meerut, but most notably in the Royal
Artillery, where the percentage is less than half that for the year 1882. But the
variation in the figures is great and no cause has been assigned for it. Partly, it may
be attributable, to the stringent orders relative to the prevention of the presence of
loitering women about the barracks.
21. The Commissioner forwards the report, with an expression of satisfaction
at the improved results shown. Improvement doubtless due to the vigilance of the
cantonment committee.
5.—LUCKNOW.
22. During the year 1883, a monthly average of 74 women remained on the
register, against 82 in 1882.
The results of the management have been very satisfactory. For the ten years
1874-83 the ratios of admissions to hospital for venereal disease amongst the Euro-
pean garrison have been 298, 389, 321, 206, 292, 171, 191, 261, 348 and 187 per
1,000 of daily average strength.
23. The Medical Officer reports favourably in regard to the situation, construc-
tion, and equipment of the hospital.
The number of registered women was less than in 1882, but part of the decrease
was due to the departure of 12 registered women with a regiment which left Lucknow
in January.
Without doubt the registered women are too few, at Lucknow, for the large
number of troops in garrison. But it is hopeless to expect more women to register,
whilst they can receive soldiers' visits in the city or neighbourhood of cantonments
without registration, which entails submission to examination and detention in
hospital when diseased. Since September of the year of report free quarters have
been granted to the registered women, but no increase to their numbers has
re sulted.
The Medical Officer believes, that if the police had power to compel, all women
detected in receiving a soldier's visit, to appear for medical examination and treat-
ment in hospital if necessary, many more women would , place their names on the
register. Of 29 newly-registered women, 11 were found diseased during, the year.