( 23 )
is a very satisfactory result, the rate per mille being only 49,—the lowest ever
yet attained.
The following table shows how the venereal disease from which the troops in
Thayetmyo suffered during the year 1879 was distributed among the garrisoning
forces :—
FORCE.
A v e r a g e s t r e n g t h d u r i n g p e r i o d o f o c c u p a t i o n .
LENGTH OP OC0CUPATION.
CASES OF DISEASE.
M o n t h s .
D A Y S .
I m p o r t e d .
L o c a l l y a c - q u i r e d .
R e - a d m i s - s i o n s .
T o t a l .
L I N E R E G I - M E N T S
.
44th East Essex
43rd Light Infantry
89th Princess Victoria
. .
493
12
. .
3
27
6
36
. .
710
9
6
13
14
14
41
..
320
9
11
1
14
2
17
R O Y A L A R T T L L E R Y .
K-1 Battery
. .
..
152
12
..
..
11
3
14
10-8 do.
. .
..
85
7
12
. .
6
. .
6
11-8 do.
. .
..
30
10
29
. . ..
. .
4-8 do.
. .
. .
89
1
6
3
. .
. .
3
16-8 do.
. .
. .
82
1
10
..
..
..
. .
Total
. .
. .
. .
. .
20
72
25
117
This statement is an interesting one, and will be again referred to in a subse-
quent paragraph of this report. It has not hitherto been customary to make in
the annual report any reference to the extent of venereal disease among the Native
troops stationed here, but since the omission has been noticed by the Commis-
sioner the particulars are now given.
The mean average strength of the Native portion of the garrison for the year
1879 was 1,465 men, among whom there were 17 admissions for venereal disease :
of these 17 however six were re-admissions, leaving 11 cases of primary disease,—
a ratio of seven per mille of strength. The corresponding numbers for the previous
year were,—average force, 658 ; admissions, two ; rate per mille, three.
There were not any changes in the Native Contingent in 1878, whereas
there were numerous additions to it in 1879 ; and possibly the increased rate of
disease in the latter year may be accounted for by importation. Information on
this point I have been unable to obtain.
IV.—Whether a Cantonment Sub-Committee for exercising special supervision over the rules has
existed during the year, and what officers comprise it.
There is no Sub-Committee. The Cantonment Magistrate and Civil Surgeon
are chiefly concerned in the administration of the Act, referring matters beyond
their control to the General Cantonment Committee at their ordinary monthly
meetings, to whom also the reports on the prevalence of venereal disease among
the troops are submitted. This system of management is a very satisfactory one,
being at the same time simple and convenient.
V,—What special measures have been taken for the control of prostitution, especially for preventing
the dangers arising from unlicensed prostitution.
No additional steps have been adopted for this purpose, and no recommend-
ations have been made or have suggested themselves to the officers charged with
the conduct of the law. The admissions to hospital of men who have contracted
disease in Thayetmyo remaining so exceedingly few has perhaps encouraged them
to think that no further measures are at present necessary for the suppression of
unlicensed prostitution.
The registered women continue to be examined every week on the Thayetmyo
side of the river ; they all live in a recognized quarter of the town ; they are all