( ( 2 )
amended table, but I am unable to reconcile s it with his figures. " At one period the actual
period regiments remained in garrison was entered ; but as different corps arrived at
different periods of the year, it was quite impossible to give correct information in one
column, so, with the concurrence of your predecessors, it was deemed sufficient to enter
merely the number of days in the year; both Artillery and 21st Fusiliers were in the station
throughout the year." As will be seen, this explanation neither agrees with the original
nor with the amended table. Assuming, however, the correctness of the figures representing
the ratio of disease to strength, the increase noted has been accounted for by the Town
Magistrate on the assumption that much prostitution takes place which the police are unable
to convict. He blames the regimental authorities for not taking more active steps to
prevent illicit prostitution within their own lines by camp-followers and low-caste coolie
women, and exonerates the police from any remissness in their duty.
The Civil Surgeon, while agreeing with the Town Magistrate in his indictment of the
regimental authorities, admits that a great deal of prostitution by unregistered women exists
in the town itself. Those accusations are entirely without proof, and I believe them to be
unjust. I have before me a copy of a letter addressed to the Cantonment Magistrate (who
is also the Town Magistrate) under date the 10th May 1875, by the Officer Commanding the
1-21st Fusiliers, requesting him to remove a number of unauthorized persons who had
taken up their abode near the European lines. A great increase in the number of admis-
sions from venereal disease in the 1-21st Regiment having taken place in July and August,
I was requested by the Principal Medical Officer, British Troops, to assist him in devis-
ing means for checking the evil. The examination of the registered women every
week instead of every fortnight as hitherto was ordered in consequence. The effect of this
order will be mentioned further on.
Half a company of European infantry was stationed at Bassein for a few months, but
there were only three admissions from venereal disease—one of syphilis, believed by the Civil
Surgeon and the regimental Surgeon to have been contracted before the arrival of the men
at the station ; and two cases of gonorrhœa.
At Toungoo there has been a marked decrease of disease among the European troops
compared with the previous year. Out of a strength of 476 men 29 cases were admitted
into hospital, being at the rate of 60.9 per 1,000 of strength, while in the previous year
the ratio was 156 per 1,000. Of the 29 cases admitted, 16 were from secondary syphilis
following disease contracted elsewhere. The Medical Officer seems to be at a loss to
account for this improved state of things, but suggests that it may be due to the limited
field which the soldier has for his amours.
The following statement shows in a tabular form the extent to which venereal diseases
prevailed among European troops in the province during the past year :—
NUMBER OF ADMISSIONS FROM VENEREAL DISEASES FOR PERIOD OF
OCCUPATION.
D e d u c t d i s e a s e s c o n t r a c t e d a t o t h e r p l a c e s .
B a l a n c e n u m b e r o f c a s e s . R a t i o o f a d m i n i s s i o n p e r 1 , 0 0 0 o f s t r e n g t h f o r p e r i o d o f o c c u p a t i o n .
STATIONS.
A v e r a g e s t r e n g t h . P r i m a r y s y p h i l i s
G o n o r r h œ a .
P h y m o s i s .
S t r i c t u r e .
W a r t s .
O r e h i t i s .
S e c o n d a r y s y p h i l i s .
B a l a n i t i s .
I n f l a m m a t i o n o f g l a n d s .
T o t a l
Rangoon .. 1,045
58
46
. .
. .
. .
. .
23
. .
. .
127
9
118 111.29
Thayetmyo ..
676
20
35
1
..
..
. .
6
1
..
63
..
63 157.95
Toungoo ..
476
8
5
. .
.. i ..
..
16
..
. .
29
19
10 60.92
IV.—Toungoo is the only station where there is a Cantonment Sub-Committee ; it
consists of the Deputy Commissioner, Cantonment Magistrate,
Whether a Cantonment Sub-
Committee for exercising special and the Civil Surgeon. At Thayetmyo the Assistant Magistrate
supervision over the rules has performs the functions of a Sub-Committee : at Bassein the
existed throughout the year.
Act is carried out by the Deputy Commissioner, at Moulmein
by the Town Magistrate ; at Rangoon the Town Magistrate and Health Officer carry out
its provisions. The report of the Civil Surgeon of Akyab is not made out in the prescribed
form, and I can only conjecture that the Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner are the
officers who carry out the provisions of the Act. At Prome, the Medical Officer believed,
erroneously, that he was the Registering Officer, but the Deputy Commissioner claims this
duty for himself.