NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
SEVENTH ANNUAL REPQRT
OF THE
WORKING OF THE LOCK HOSPITALS
IN THE
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES AND OUDH
For the year 1880.
PRELIMINARY NOTE.
I. Paras. 1 to 82 of this report contain a summary of results and remarks recorded
in the Annual Reports and papers submitted to Government by the local authorities con-
cerried with the management of the Lock Hospital scheme, the hospitals being arranged
in,order of their importance.
Paras. 83 to 108 contain the opinions and remarks of the, reporting officer,
founded in all cases upon evidence plainly discernible in the reports and papers, and always
supported by reference to that evidence.
III. Para. 109 contains a record ,of the points in those reports and papers which
require the special attention of Government.
IV. The report concludes with four tables, into which has been gathered all the
available statistical information on the subject in simplest possible form.
1. —ALLAHABAD.
During the year 1880 a monthly average of 15·9 women remained on the register
against 17l in 1879.
The results of the management have been satisfactory.
For the seven years 1874·50 the ratios of admissions to hospital for venereal
disease amongst the European garrison have been 290,244,177,185,354, 241, and
215 per 1,000 of daily average strength.
2. The Medical Officer reports that the situation of the hospital is inconvenient
both for the women and for the Medical Officer. The accommodation, moreover, is
insufficient in the bold season; three women having to occupy the space required by two.
The accommodation is for 18 persons. The daily average of sick women has been 25.
The medical charge changed hands four times during the year. The manage-
ment has been fairly successful in preventing disease and, more especially, in prevent-
ing syphilis,. the admissions for which amongst the soldiers numbered 173 in 1878,
123 in 1879, and.,only 90 in 1880.
There was a marked decrease of disease amongst the registered women also in 1880.
A total of 194 cases of absence of women from the periodical examinations have
been reported to the Cantonment Magistrate, but generally the attendance has been
satisfactory.
The resident Hospital Assistant, Hira.Lal, who has been attached to this hospital
for 12 years, has given every satisfaction. He knows and does his work very well,
and his management of the women could not be better.
•
3. The file contains no report or remark from the Cantonment Committee.*
NOTE.—In letter No. 51, dated 10th March, 1881, the Cantonment Magistrate explains that the Lock
Hospi t al report was l ai d before t he Bri gadi er General Commandi ng and t he Cant onment Commi t t ee, but
neither desired to offer any remarks. The Cantonment Magistrate took charge of his office after the close
of the..year 1880, and having no knowledge of the work of. that year, refrained from commenting on the
•
1L
( 9 )
In all 112 cases of disease are believed to have been contracted from registered
women. Chiefly disease comes from unregistered women who patrol the roads at
night and induce the soldier, often the worse for liquor, to illicit intercourse. But for
the presence of these cheap wanderers the soldiers would visit the registered women
only.
Shooting excursions also afford an opportunity for dangerous illicit intercourse
with women.
For the prevention of this illicit intercourse the Medical Officer thinks the " vene-
real picquet" useless, excepting as a measure of punishment for men who have con-
tracted disease. And punishment by making up arrears of duty is also useless to pre-
vent disease. The receipt of a ticket by the soldier from the registered woman visited
acts well, chiefly as a means of detecting a diseased woman.
All the registered women of cantonments have been examined every second day.
The Medical Officer praises the system in force, and thinks nothing more effect-
ive against disease could be devised. As long as man is a free agent he cannot be
kept within the bounds of an institution, although it may be established for his
benefit.
31. The file contains no paper emanating from the Cantonment or Military autho-
rities.
32.
The Magistrate and Collector has no remark to make or new suggestion to
offer.
33.
The Commissioner forwards the report and returns. He notes a marked
decrease of disease for the year amongst the women, and a great improvement in
the health of the soldiers, as shown by the figures of the report.
The main cause of disease is intercourse of the soldier with unregistered women.
As a rule the registered women are old hags, to whom the soldier will not confine his
visits.
Amongst the village women there is an enormous amount of venereal disease of
very bad type, and these women are ready to gratify the soldier for a mere trifle.
On the whole the Commissioner thinks the institution has worked well during the
year 1880.
7.—FYZABAD.
3 4 . Dur i ng t he y e a r 1 8 8 0 a mo nt hl y a v e r a g e o f 9 0 wo me n r e ma i ne d o n t he
register against 91 for 1879.
The results of the management have been very satisfactory.
The ratios of admissions to hospital for venereal disease amongst the European
garrison for the seven years 1874-80 have been 333, 503, 345, 211, 196, 158, and
143 per 1,000 of daily strength respectively.
1.
The Medical Officer reports the hospital accommodation sufficient, but a local
place of residence has not yet been provided for the Hospital Assistant, although the
question has been long considered.
The type of disease seen amongst the soldiers during the year was mild. Every
unmarried soldier was examined medically within a period of 24 hours after his arrival
at the station.
Four cases of primary syphilis and nine of gonorrhœa were contracted at other
stations.
The type of disease amongst the registered women was very mild, its cure
quickly effected.
3L
( 16 )
62. The Collector and Magistrate remarks that the hospital was temporarily
closed, during the absence of the infantry troops, under orders sanctioned by the Com-
mander-in-Chief, and re-opened when those troops returned.
Neither the Commissioner nor Magistrate were consulted in the matter. The
result was hurtful to the women, as shown by the returns. The Cantonment Magis-
trate takes great interest in the efficient working of the scheme and has done all in his
power to check unlicensed prostitution.
63. The Commissioner notes the large increase of disease amongst the women
owing to the closing of the hospital. The Medical and Cantonment authorities are co'.
operating cordially for the suppression of illicit prostitution, which is really the point
upon which successful management depends. And it is probable that the system will
continue to work well at Roorkee.
14.—JHÁNSI.
64. During the year 1880 a monthly average of 29 women remained on the
register against 31 in 1879.
The results of the management have been very satisfactory. For the seven years
1874-80 the ratios of admissions to hospital for venereal disease amongst the European
garrison have been 112, 58, 185, 89, 188, 136, and 133 per 1,000 of strength
respectively.
65. The Medical Oficer reports the lock hospital accommodation ample. It has
been in charge of three different officers of the Subordinate Medical Department during
the year.
Amongst the soldiers disease has been less than in 1879, and one case was that of
a recruit from England who had not contracted disease at Jhánsi. On the arrival of a
new regiment in December 7 cases were quickly admitted to hospital, for which the
soldiers blamed the registered women, who upon examination were found free from
disease.
From the returns it would appear that venereal disease steadily decreases at Jhánsi.
A Sub-Committee was in existence throughout the year.
During the year 25 cases of absence of women from the periodical examinations
were recorded.
Registered and unregistered women are alike treated in hospital when found
diseased.
For the first half of the year there was very little disease amongst the soldiers, and
the women were examined twice in each month. For the last half disease increased
amongst the soldiers, and the women were examined weekly.
Amongst the women 17 cases of disease were discovered, only one of which was
virulent.
66. The Depnty Commissioner notes the satisfactory results of the management
as affording proof of its reality, and especially the efficiency of the endeavours made
to prevent unlicensed prostitution.
It seems right to conclude that the unusual amount discovered amongst the soldiers
newly arrived was contracted on the march.
67. The Commissioner remarks that the work of the first half of the year was
decidedly successful . The work of last half was injuriously affected by disease con-
tracted on the march. Exactly the same thing occurred in January, 1879, when
troops marched into Jhánsi from Gwalior.
15.—NAINI TAL.
68. During the year 1880 a monthly average of 29 women remained on the
re gister against 30 in 1879. The results of the management have not been satisfactory.
( 27 )
POINTS REQUIRING THE ESPECIAL NOTICE OF GOVERNMENT.
109. The points in these reports calling for the especial notice of Government
are:—
I. The want of accommodation at Allahabad (para. 2).
II. The necessity of bringing the villages near the Agra Cantonments effect-
ually under the Lock Hospital Rules (para. 8).
III. The advantage of requiring a regular assembly of the Cantonment Sub-
Committee at Agra in place of assembling when anything special has to
be brought before it para. 15). This was urged in the report for 1879
(para. 116).
IV. The urgent necessity of bringing portions of Lucknow city which border
Cantonments under lock hospital management (paras. 24 and 26).
V. The requirements of accommodation for the Hospital Assistant at Fyzabad
(para. 35).
VI. The advantage of providing a fixed place of residence for the women at
Benares (para. 40). The necessity of settling definitely the propriety or
otherwise of subsidizing the women there (paras. 39 and 41). This has
been recommended before. It is a very grave measure of change, not
encouraged by the Commissioner (para. 42).
VII. The obvious propriety of establishing a Cantonment bazaar at Moradabad
and locating the lock hospital there in Cantonments (paras. 44, 45).
VIII. The very great advantage to the system likely to result from the establish-
of a rule that a soldiers who can truthfully point out the woman from
whom he contracted disease shall escape all punishment, while a soldier
who cannot do this shall be punished on account of his diseased state
(para. 54).
IX. The urgent necessity of according sanction to the erection of a hospital
building at Roorkee (para. 59).
X. The recorded disadvantage of closing a lock hospital by reason of the
temporary absence of troops (paras. 59, 61, 62).
XI. The necessity of providing servants' quarters at Naini Tal, reported now
for several years past without result (para. 69).
XII. The record of opinion by the Commissioner that the unfavourable results at
Fatehgarh were due to want of energy on the part of the Cantonment
Committee (para. 82).
ALLAHABAD,
C. PLANCK, SURGEON-MAJOR,
The 24th March, 1881. } Sany. Comr. and Supdt.- Gent of Vaccn., N- W. P. and Oudh.
8L
No. II.-Annual return of expenditure incurred in the Lock Hospitals of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh for the year 1880.
N u m b e r .
Lock hospital.
Pay of
medical officer.
P a y
o f
establishment.
A l l
other expenses.
Total.
By Government.
From cantonment.
or other funds.
Total.
Receipts.
Remarks.
Fines realized.
1
Allahabad
...
...
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Hospital
closed.
1,200
0 0
600 0 0
1,104 6 11
2,904 6 11
. . .
2,904 6 11
2,904 6 11
4 14 0
2
Cawnpore
...
...
1,200 0 0
648 0 0
1,292 7 2
3,140 7 2
2,998 7 2
142 0 0
3,140 7 2
. . .
3
Agra
...
... 1,200
0 0
1,008 0 0
1,091 3 7
3,299 3 7
367 14 5
2,931 5 2
3,299 3 7
17 10 0
4
Meerut
...
...
1,200 0 0
852 0 0
457 7 3
2,509 7 3
. . .
2,509 7 3
2,509 7 3
15 8 0
5
Lucknow
...
...
1,200 0 0
1,200 0 0
852 2 7
3,252 2 7
...
3,252 2 7
3,252 2 7
. . .
6
Bareilly
... ...
1,200 0 0
541 0 0
535 3 9
2,276 3 9
...
2,276 3 9
2,276 3 9
9 0 0
7
Fyzabad
...
...
1.200 0 0
840 0 0
695 0 6
2,735 0 6
. . .
2,735 0 6
2,735 0 6
. . .
8
Benares
...
...
1,200 0 0
552 0 0
556 13 2
2,308 13 2
2,308 13 2
...
2,308 13 2
. . .
9
Moradabad
...
...
600 0 0
408 0 0
229 8 6
1,237 8 6
1,237 8 6
. . .
1,237 8 6
. . .
10
Sháhjahánpur ...
..
600 0 0
768 0 0
378 12 6
1,746 12 6
. . .
1,77746 12 6
1,746 12 6
35 8 0
11
Ránikhet
...
...
600 0 0
516 0 0
554 14 9
1,670 14 9
1,670 14 9
. . .
1,670 14 9
. . .
12
Sitapur
... ...
. . .
. . .
. . . . . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
13
Roorkee
...
...
389 3 11
207 3 6
166 6 8
762 14 1
759 9 0
3 5 1
762 14 1
1 0 0
14
Jhánsi
...
...
240 0 0
180 0 0
142 3 9
562 3 9
407 6 5
154 13 4
562 3 9
...
15
Naini Tal
...
...
600 0 0
624 0 0
235 4 8
1,459 4 8
1,459 4 8
. . .
1,459 4 8
3 0 0
16
Muttra
..
...
217 7 8
167 9 9
98 14 4
483 15 9
. . .
483 15 9
483 15 9
. . .
17
Chakráta
...
...
239 5 8
180 0 0
339 11 0
759 0 8
759 0 8
...
759 0 8
. . .
18
Fatehgarh
...
...
180 0 0
135 0 0
345 0 0
660 0 0
...
660 0 0
660 0 0
. . .
Total, 1880
...
13,266 1 3
9,426 13 3
9,075
9 1
31,768 7 7
11,968 14 9
19,799 8 10
31,768 7 7
86 8 0
Total, 1879
...
13,850 0 0
9,596 11 5
13,263 8 5
36,711 3 3
14,728 12 9
21,982 6 6
36,711 3 3
174 10 0
2 9
No. 129 OF 1881.
FROM
THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
N.-W. PROVINCES AND OUDH'
THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,
HOME, REVENUE AND AGRI. DEPT. (SANITARY).
Dated Naini Tal, the 4th July, 1881.
To
ANTATION DEPT.
SIR,
I AM directed to forward, for the information of His Excellency
the Governor-General in Council, the Annual Report on the working of
the Lock Hospitals in the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, for the
year 1880.
2. This, which has been prepared as usual by the Sanitary Commis-
sioner, Surgeon-Major Planck, is again a record of much to be deplored
failure, so far as the prevention of venereal disease amongst British sol-
diers is concerned,—a failure due to causes which have been repeatedly set
forth in former reports, and which are pathetically described by Dr.
Planck in paras. 83 to 108 of his review.
3. The general results of the year may be summarised as follows:—
Eighteen lock hospitals are shown in the report, as compared with
seventeen last year, but one, Sitapur, was closed throughout the year,
owing to the absence of European troops. A new one was opened at
Fatehgarh, so that the number actually open remained the same. The
total number of prostitutes registered was 1,785, as compared with 2,063
in 1879, a decrease of 278 ; while 693 removed their names, died, or abs-
conded, against 835 last year. The monthly average of prostitutes on the
register was 1,152 against 1,286 ; and the monthly average attending pe-
riodical examinations, 964 against 1,106. The total number of cases re-
ported to a Magistrate for non-attendance in the year was 875 against
1,069 ; and the total number of cases of disease discovered and retained
for treatment, 2,952 against 3,449. The total number of admissions for
gonorrhoea and other minor forms of disease was 1,976 against 2,341, of
whom 1,881 were discharged, two died, and 93 were remaining at the
end of the year. There were 1,149 admissions for syphilis against 1,426
last year ; 1,049 were discharged, and 100 were remaining. The total
number of cases of all forms of disease was 3,125 against 3,767, and
the monthly average of prostitutes in hospital was 204 against 278.
4. The total cost was Rs. 31,768 against Rs. 36,711, of which
Rs. 13,266 were for pay of medical officers in charge, Rs. 9,426 for pay
o f establishment, and Rs. 9,076 for other expenses. Rs. 11,968 were con-
tributed by Government, and Rs. 19,799 from cantonment or other funds.
Rs. 86 were realised in fines against Rs, 174 in 1879. The average
( 3 )
soldiers contract disease not from registered but from unregistered
women.
8. As regards the soldiers themselves, the four great causes of
failure are summed up by Dr. Planck as follows :
—
(1) The continuance of the soldiers' power or opportunity of con
-sorting in or about cantonments with the women of the country who are
not protected by registration.
(2) The license in this matter enjoyed by soldiers on the march.
(3) The opportunity permitted to soldiers in camp to consort with
women of the neighbouring villages.
(4) The continuance of the opportunity or necessity experienced by
the registered women to receive the visits of native men.
In paras. 94 to 100 he quotes a mass of evidence, taken from the re-
ports, to illustrate the evils arising under each of these heads, over which
the Military authorities can alone exercise control. So long as soldiers
cannot be prevented from having recourse to unregistered women, no
amount of attention to lock hospitals and to registered women can have
any appreciable effect in diminishing disease, Whether the numerous
suggestions made in the report under this head are practicable or not,
is for the Military authorities to decide. It is perfectly clear in what
direction reform is required, and on this point the report leaves no room
for doubt. It is worthy of remark that at several stations, when disease
became unusually prevalent, it is said to have been nearly put a stop to
by the adoption of rigorous measures on the part-of Commanding Officers ;
and the Sanitary Commissioner's comments on this in paras. 106–7 deserve
the attentive consideration of the Military authorities.
9. The cantonment committees at Agra, Benares, Moradabad,
Fatehgarh, and elsewhere, should see if measures cannot be devised to
induce registered women to live together in one locality, as suggested
in para. 108.
10. The points which call for the especial notice of Government
are set forth in para. 109.
(1)
Para. 2.—The situation of the Allahabad lock hospital is
inconvenient, both for the women and for the medical officer. The
accommodation, moreover, is insufficient in the cold season, three women
having to occupy the space required by two : there is room for 18 persons,
but the daily average of sick women has been 25. It is for the canton-
ment committee to arrange that suitable and sufficient accommodation
is provided.
(2)
Para. 8—Dwells on the necessity of bringing the villages
near the Cawnpore cantonments effectually under the lock hospital
rules. Any extension of the Act beyond cantonments requires the
sanction of the Governor-General in Council. In most stations the com-
plaint is made that it is useless to have it in force in cantonments alone,
and not in adjoining cities and suburbs to which soldiers have ready
access. There are many objections, however, to extension from a civil
point of view, and the power to order it has hitherto been sparingly
( 4 )
exercised. It rests with the Military authorities to ask for the extension,
when a sufficient case can be made out for it.
(3) Para. 15.—The point raised here was dealt with in clause 4,
para. 7, of the orders on last year's report, and the remarks there made
apply equally now. The matter is one for the president of the canton-
ment committee to determine.
(4) Paras. 24-26.—The extension of the rules to the city and
suburbs of Lucknow is still under the consideration of the Government
of India.
(5) Para. 35.—It is for the cantonment committee, in communi-
cation with the Military Department, to provide quarters for the hospital
assistant at Fyzabad, vide clause 8, para. 7, of orders on last report.
(6) Paras. 39, 40, 41.—Of all stations Benares is the one where
failure has been most conspicuous, owing to the very great facilities en-
joyed by soldiers for intercourse with unregistered women. It is pro-
posed the registered women should be made to live together, and to sub-
sidise a sufficient number to induce them to do so. The Magistrate sees
no difficulty in this, but the Commissioner does not approve of the pro-
posal, which was made last year also. It seems to His Honor that if free
quarters could be arranged for, there would be no objection to the subsidy
taking this form. Direct money payments are certainly open to ob-
jection.
(7) Paras. 44-5.—In clause 10, para. 7, of the orders on last year's
report, and also in the preceding year, it was stated that the location of
the Moradabad hospital within cantonments, instead of in the city, was a
matter for the cantonment committee to decide ; and their attention
should again be drawn to the subject.
(8) Para. 54.—It is for the Military authorities to decide whether
a rule should be laid down that a soldier who can truthfully point out
the woman from whom he contracted disease shall escape all punishment,
while a soldier who cannot do this shall be punished on account of his
diseased state. Such a rule is primâ facie open to question, and disease
is in most instances probably contracted from women met casually, whom
the soldier does not know and is not likely to see again.
(9) Para. 59.— The cantonment committee should see that no avoid-
able delay is allowed to occur in the erection of the new hospital, if
sanctioned.
(10) Paras. 59, 61, 62.—The harm eventually caused by the closing
of the hospital, merely on account of the temporary absence of troops,
will be brought to the notice of the Military Department : such an
occurrence is, however, probably rare, and not likely to be frequent.
(11) It is for the Military authorities to see to the provision of
quarters for hospital servants at Naini Tal.
(12) The attention of the Military Department may be drawn to the
remarks recorded by the Commissioner, that the unfavourable results at
Fatehgarh are due to want of energy on the part of the cantonment com-
gtgr.
HOME
1881
DE1
_
-
From
The Secretary to Government,
N.-W. Provinces and °mil),
To
The Secretary to the Government of
Home, Rev. and Agri. Dept. (Sanii
Dated the 4th July, 1881.
No. 129,
Enclosures,.
Received
Spare copies
Progs. No.
D. L. No.
FORWARDS, with remarks, the Annual Repo
the working of the Lock Hospitals in the
Western Provinces and Oudh for the year 185
Page 30, statement No. II, column 12th, opposite Fatehgarh, strike out "Fatehgarh figures
subject to revision."
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
, ,
30
,,
, ,
5th, total,
read 10,095 0 0 for 10,055 0 0
, ,
30
„
„
„
6th, ditto,
read 11,619 4 7 for 11,559 0 6
, , 30
,,
„
„
7th, di t t o,
read 35,853
1 4 4 for 35,753 10 3
,, 30
,,
,
,,
9th, ditto,
read 25,184 2
1 0
for 25,083 14 9
, ,
30
„
„
,,
10th, ditto,
read 35,853 14 4 for 35,753 10 3
, , 30
,,
, ,
,,
11th, ditto,
read
235 3 0 for 207 7 0
, , 30
,,
, ,
„
11th, total for 1880, read 86 8 0 for
86 8 8
, , 31, statt. No. III.,col. 4th, opposite Fatehgarh, read 825 4 1 for 725 0 0
, ,
31
,, ,,
,,
8th,
ditto,
read
35 14 1 for
31 8 4
, , 31
,, ,,
,,
9th, ditto,
read
43 6 11 for
38 2 6
, ,
31
,, ,,
,,
10th,
ditto,
read. 15 0 0 for
11 5 9
, ,
31
,, ,,
,,
4th, total,
read 35,853 14 4 for 35,753 10 3
,, 31
,,
,,
,,
8th,
ditto,
read
31 5 0 for
31 3 7
, ,
31
, ,
, ,
,,
9th, ditto,
read
36 8 8 for
37 7 3
, ,
31
,, ,,
,,
10th, ditto,
read
11 4 6 for
11 4 0
, ,
31
,, ,,
,,
7th, total of 1880, read 2,952
for 2,955.
, ,
31 statement No. IV., column 2nd opposite Fatehgarh, strike out ‡
,, 31
,,
, ,
,,
3rd,
ditto, read
244 for 205.
, ,
31
,,
, ,
7th,
ditto, read
221·3 for 263·4.
, ,
31
, ,
,,
3rd, total,
read
14,411 for 14,372.
, , 31
,,
, ,
,,
7th, ditto,
read
231·6 for 232·3.
, , 31
,,
, ,
,,
10th, strike out " Figures subject to revision."