3.
All examinations have been made personally by the Medical Officer
himself with due care and delicacy, and no woman has objected to the operation.
Any women found suffering from disease of any kind is admitted into Hospital
for treatment, the women of the city being treated together with the canton-
ment women. Every admission and discharge has been made on the Medical
Officer ' s authority after careful personal examination. The dhais have been
most useful in summoning the women for examinations, which have been made
at uncertain times and without previous notice, in order that, as far as possible,
the women might be prevented from trying to conceal disease by the use of
astringents, &c. The dhais also give information as to the cause of non-
attendance at the examinations.
The surgical instruments and appliances are in accordance with regula-
tions, and are sufficient for diagnostic purposes, but a few additional uterine
instruments would be of service for treatment.
In accordance with instructions received from the Quarter Master General,
no periodical examinations have been held since 31st August. When reported
by soldiers as being diseased the women willingly come to Hospital for examina-
tion and treatment.
J.—Although the number of admissions into Hospital during the entire
year shows a decrease of 51, this is due to the fact that the
rules were in abeyance during the last four months. During
the eight months they were in force there was an aggregate of 210 admissions,
which gives a monthly average of 26.24 for the period and a total of 315 for
the whole year at the same ratio. The increase is well marked in respect of
both syphilis and gonorrlioea, whilst there has been a considerable decrease in
the cases of ulcer of the labia and congestion of the vagina. Subjoined is a table
showing the actual number of admissions during the years 1887 and 1888, and
also the probable number that would have occurred had the Lock Hospital rules
remained in force throughout the whole of the latter year :—
DISEASE.
1887.
1888.
Probable number in
1888 had the rules
remained in force.
Primary Syphilis
... ... ...
1
13
15
Gonorrhoea
...
...
...
...
55
85
124.5
Ulcer of Labia
...
...
...
96
29
43.5
Congestion of Vagina ...
...
71
27
40.5
Other diseases
...
...
...
46
64
91.5
Total
...
269
218
31.5
Of the total number of admissions for syphilis four were re-admissions,
thus reducing the number of cases to 9. There were 33 unregistered women
taken into Hospital during the year. There appears to have been an increase
in the virulence of venereal as shown by the greater relative frequency of the
severe forms of disease, but, at the same time, there have been more cases of
a non-specific character. The severest cases of disease were found amongst
the unlicensed women sent up for examination for illicit prostitution ; none of
the registered women were severely affected.
•
In the early part of the year there were a number of prostitutes in the
regimental bazár of each British corps, where special and
suitable houses were set apart for them provided with the
means of ablution. During the month of May an order was received from Army
Head-quarters that this was not to be allowed ; they were accordingly expelled
from the regimental bazárs and located in a disused serai in the sadr. There
are several disadvantages in this arrangement : firstly, the women are not under
such strict surveillance; secondly, the soldiers have much farther to go to visit
Disease amongst the
women.
Prostitutes' quarters.