(
6 )
The arrangements for examin-
ing and trĭ e a t i n g t h e w o m e n o f
the city and cantonment.
IX.—The arrangements for conducting the examinations
and for treating the women in hospital are satisfactory in all
the hospitals.
X.—In Rangoon, the number of women found diseased and admitted during the
year was 477, being in the ratio of 121 per cent. of the aver-
-age strength. In 1874 it was as nearly as possible 100 per
cent. of average strength. Of the 477 cases, the large number
of 317 are entered under the head "primary syphilis," being at
the rate of 80.66 per cent. of strength.
The remarks of the Civil Surgeon under this head do not appear in conformity
with the data supplied. I think that a per-centage of 80.66 cases of primary syphilis
does indicate a great amount of that disease among the women taken en masse.
His inability to institute a comparison between the nature of the venereal disease among
the men and among the women without having attended the regimental hospital is an
incapacity which I am unable to comprehend. The weekly returns of European soldiers
admitted into hospital with venereal disease are sent to him for this very purpose, and
he has himself given the data in his report which would have enabled him to make the
comparison.
It appears that among the women 66 per cent. of all the admissions were cases of
primary syphilis, while among the European soldiers, 57 per cent. of the admissions
for all kinds of venereal complaints were for primary syphilis. There is a certain cor-
respondence in these ratios which would probably be still closer but for the difficulty in
women of distinguishing non-syphilitic sores from syphilitic—a difficulty much less
felt when men are the patients.
The remarks of the Civil Surgeon of Bassein on this subject are very just. True
syphilis can only be contracted once, and those women who bear unequivocal marks of hav-
ing had it should not be entered as cases of primary syphilis when they present them-
selves with ulcers on the genitals.
At Akyab, the proportion of women admitted to average strength was 560 per
cent., but out of the 241 cases admitted, only 12, or a little less than five per cent., were
cases of primary syphilis. Of the cases treated for venereal diseases at the Civil Dispen-
sary, 12.9 per cent. were syphilitic. Dr. Mountjoy considers that the benefits of the lock-
hospital are, next to the women themselves, enjoyed by the sailors in port, who are almost
free from primary syphilis.
At Bassein, according to the amended statement No. II., 27 women were admitted with
different forms of disease, being at the rate of 225 per cent. of strength. There was no
case of primary syphilis admitted, Dr. Baker having discriminated between cases of
true chancre and soft ulcers.
In the dispensary there were ten admissions for primary syphilis, being at the
rate of 11.6 per cent. of all admissions from venereal complaints ; and four in the Jail
Hospital. Either Dr. Baker made a wrong diagnosis of some of the cases admitted
into the lock-hospital, or else those 14 men must have contracted the disease from
unregistered women. Dr. Baker does not explain whether any attempt was made to
induce the men affected to disclose the names or residence of the women who gave them the
disease. According to the amended return furnished by the Medical Officer in charge of
the lock -hospital at Thayetmyo, there has been a pretty close correspondence between the
forms of venereal disease among the European soldiers in garrison and the women
admitted into the lock-hospital. Out of a total of 70 cases admitted into the lock-
hospital, 25, or 35.7 per cent., were for primary syphilis, and 29, or 41.4 per cent., were
suffering from gonorrhœa. On the other hand, 63 cases of venereal disease were
admitted among the soldiers of the Artillery and 67th Regiment, of which 20, or 31.7 per
cent., were for primary syphilis, and 35, or 55.5 per cent., for gonorrhoea.
XI.—At Prome and Toungoo the matron of the hospital seems to have done the
work of a dhaie to some extent, but no regular dhaies have
been engaged at any of the hospitals.
XII.—From the remarks of the Town Magistrate and the Civil Surgeon of Rangoon
it would appear that the latitude in the matter of morals
allowed to Burmese women by public opinion and social usage
renders the practical application to them of the Contagious
Diseases Act a very delicate and difficult matter ; but neither of
these officers makes any suggestion for meeting the difficulty ; and as my own experience
of the country is much more limited than theirs, I am not prepared to supply the omis--
sion.
The Town Magistrate would be glad to see the provisions of the Act extended to
Yandoon on the Irrawaddy river, because the women of Rangoon fly to it as other
traders do to a free port where they may indulge in the practice and enjoy the profits of
their profession untroubled by Police or other Inspectors ; but, as the Commissioner of
Pegu observes, this would necessitate the establishment of a lock-hospital with all its
accompaniments at Yandoon, and apparently for the main object of preventing deser-
How far disease has increased
or decreased among the
women ; to what extent it has
become less virulent ; its na-
ture as compared with that
among men.
How far dhaies have been
employed, and with what success.
Any information on other mat-
ters or suggestions for the im-
provement of the rules.