(15)
The daily average strength of the European garrison for the past year, as nearly as it
can be calculated from the returns received, was,—of infantry 407, and. artillery 152, or a
total average force of 559 men.
Amongst the force there were 64 cases of venereal disease, being 11.4 per cent. of
average strength. But in order to shew the degree in which disease among these European
troops has originated locally (and this circumstance alone can concern the authorities here
charged with the administration of the Act), it is necessary to eliminate all cases of venereal
which have been acquired elsewhere. I get this number from officers in medical charge of
the men who were diseased in the returns they furnish me with, and I have inserted it in
the lowest column of the foregoing statement.
There is no doubt in the Medical Officers' minds in this matter. In 23 instances they
distinctly assert that the sufferers have contracted their disease away from Thayetmyo.
In eight cases, contagion was effected in Secunderabad, Madras, or Rangoon ; and in the
remaining 15, Rangoon women are charged with causing its origin. It will be seen also
that there were three cases of secondary syphilis, and there were two re-admissions for
relapses ; so that, deducting the number thus obtained (23 x 3 x 2) from the total, 64, it is
concluded that only 36 men acquired disease in Thayetmyo. Thus it is found that the
troops stationed here suffered from venereal locally contracted at the rate of only six per
cent. of average strength, and this is altogether more satisfactory. I am unable to com-
pare the results of this with former years in these essential particulars, because previous
reports do not contain them ; but in 1875, of the garrison, seven per cent. contracted dis-
ease ; in 1876, 13 per cent. ; in 1877, 11 per cent. ; but in 1877, the year of review, only a
trifle more than half this disease was acquired locally. In 1875, however, the whole seven
per cent. was contracted in Thayetmyo, for there was no change in the garrison that year ;
and in 1876 there was only a partial relief of troops, against an entire relief in 1877. .
I cannot give the dates of arrival and departure of the military forces which garrisoned
Thayetmyo during the year, because necessary information has not been received from the
Station Staff Officer.
Statement shewing the extent and nature of the venereal disease from which the European Troops
in Thayetmyo suffered during the year 1877.
H e r M a j e s t y ' s 8 9 t h a n d 4 4 t h R e g i m e n t s o f E u r o p e a n I n f a n t r y . T w o b r i g a d e s o f a r t i l l e r y .
H e r M a j e s t y ' s 8 9 t h E u r o p e a n
I n f a n t r y f r o m J a n u a r y t o D e c e m b e r 1 8 7 7 ; H e r M a j e s t y ' s 4 4 t h d u r i n g D e c e m b e r 1 8 7 7 ; a n d a r t i l l e r y t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r , w i t h a r e l i e f i n A p r i l .
H e r M a j e s t y , s 8 9 t h E u r o p e a n I n f a n t r y . . . . 4 2 2
H e r M a j e s t y ' s 4 4 t h E u r o p e a nI
n f a n t r y . . . . 3 7 7 1 / 2R
o y a l a r t i l l e r y . . 1 5 2
Nature of admissions from venereal diseases
during period of occupation,
R a t i o o f a d m i s s i o n s p
e r 1 , 0 0 0 o f a v e r a g e s t r e n t h , — 1 4 4 R a t i o o f a d m i s s i o n s p e r 1 , 0 0 0 f r o m d i s e a s e s c o n t r a c e d l o c a l l y , 6 4 .
Regiments.
Peri od of occupati on.
Aver age st r ent h dur i ng t he per i od of occupat i on.
Syphilis, primary..
..
.. 24
Do.,
secondary
..
. . 3
Gonorrhoea
• .
.. 35
Epididymitis
..
..
..
2
--
Total .. 64
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 cantonment sub-committee to superintend the administration of the
Contageous Diseases Act. The Cantonment Magistrate and Surgeon in charge of the hos
pital are the officials responsible for its efficient working. Very valuable assistance is fre
quently rendered by the officers in medical charge of the troops, by reporting specially
wherever diseases are contracted from un-registered prostitutes.
V.—What special measure has been taken for the control of prostitution, especially for preventing
the dangers arising from unlicensed prostitution.
When prostitutes are placed on the register, they at once take up their abode in a cer
tain double row of houses in the town, which is especially and well recognized as the