( 18 )
V.—What special measures for the control of prostitution, &c.
The usual measures were in force, namely, every registered woman had to attend
the weekly examinations, and to live in a specified locality ; and I agree with the remarks
made by Dr. Baker in last year's report, in thinking it very unlikely that any unlicensed
prostitute would be tolerated or could live there undetected. No other special measures
were taken. Ten women were fined or imprisoned for carrying on illicit prostitution : parti-
culars on these points are supplied in a statement attached to the report.
VI.
I cannot give a definite opinion on this point, as my experience in connection with
the system of registration was too short ; but if one may judge from the returns of venereal
disease of the British troops, it appears to have been as efficient as could be expected, when
the difficulties are taken into consideration. The number of registrations for the last three
years was as follows :-
1876.
1877.
1878.
16
..
..
34..
..
23
With respect to the decrease in the year under review when compared with the preceding
one, the following explanation, as detailed to me by the medical subordinate, may account
for it, that in 1877 a large number of women were convicted of carrying on illegal prosti-
tution, and placed on the list. Most of these absconded or had their names removed, and
the result was that in 1878 there were fewer unregistered women ; and consequently addi-
tions to the list, either voluntarily or from breach the rules, were less numerous than in
the preceding year. The registration included natives of Burma and India : there were
only four of the latter on the list during the year ; they had all been convicted of illegal
prostitution ; one had her name removed, and the remaining three absconded. The area is
196 square miles.
VII.—Whether registration fees had been, &c.
•
Each woman, except when ill, paid a fee of Re. 1 per month.
VIII.—Whether the women have been regular at the periodical examinations, &c.
Statement No. II. shews that the women were less regular in attendance than in
1877. I have not been able to ascertain the cause, or to obtain any explanation. The
following table is given for purposes of comparison :—
Year.
Average number
of prostitutes on the
register.
Average number
attending the examin-
ations.
Percentage average
attendance to average
strength.
1877
..
..
..
..
24.9
22.12
88.8
1878
..
..
..
..
24.83
20.00
80.5
Twenty women (one of them twice) were reported for non-attendance, and ten others (one of
them twice) for absconding . from hospital. Particulars as regards punishments, fines, and
the amount realized are given in a statement attached to the report.
IX.—Arrangements for treating the women of the town and cantonment.
No arrangements. No women came for treatment.
X.—How far disease has increased or decreased among the women, &c.
The admissions into the lock-hospital for venereal diseases during the past three years
were as follows :-
1876.
1877.
1878.
67
..
..
..
47 ..
..
..59
Only one of the 59 came whilst I had charge. With reference to the remainder, I find, on
referring to the admission and discharge book, that they have been entered under nine
different headings, and, as four of these are evidently non-venereal, the admissions they
include (8) should be deducted, and there would then remain a balance of 51.
No women were detained in hospital on account of their monthly illness. The follow-
ing table shews the relative number of admissions for venereal diseases for each month
amongst the British troops and the registered prostitutes :—
Months.
Admissions
amongst .Bri-
tish soldiers.
Admissions
amongst
prostitutes.
Months.
Admissions
amongst Bri-
tish soldiers.
Admissions
amongst
prostitutes.
January
..
..
10
7
July
..
..
3
4
February ..
..
4
8
August
..
..
4
2
March
..
..
3
3
September ..
..
5
5
April
..
. .
6
5
October ..
..
2
3
May
..
..
1
2
November ..
..
5
9
June
..
..
5
2
December ..
..
0
1
Total
..
29
27
Total
..
19
24