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Annual Report on the Lock Hospital at Bassein for the year 1877.
I.—Nature and extent of hospital accommodation ; whether suitable, or any alterations or additions
taken place during the year.
The lock hospital buildings were fully described in the report of 1876. No altera
tions, except of a minor description, were made during the year.
The palisading round the enclosure has been found unsafe, permitting, as it does, ready
escape over it. It has been proposed to have spiked rollers surmounting it.
The punishment and general wards have been provided with substantial bolts and
Chubbs' locks. The space between the wall-plates and roof has been battened up, as one
obstreperous prostitute escaped through it.
II.—Any change in the medical charge of the lock hospital during the year.
Mr. Foster, Civil Surgeon, has remained in charge throughout the year. In the Subor
dinate Medical Department, First Class Hospital Assistant Azif Zuman relieved Second Class
Hospital Assistant Abdool Hossain.
III.—The extent of venereal disease amongst the European troops as shown by the monthly returns.
No troops were stationed at Bassein during the year under review.
As in last year's report, I propose here to introduce the statement shewing the
venereal diseases treated amongst the civil and jail population.
The return contrasts favourably with previous years. Only 11 cases of primary
syphilis were treated at the hospital and one in the jail. The bulk of the cases were of
the variety " soft chancre." The number of patients treated is the lowest of five years.
The greatest decrease of sickness is noted under the heading " Gonorrhoea," a falling-off being
observed of 18 cases. An increase is seen under the headings " Secondary syphilis" and
" Other venereal diseases." Most of the cases were the results of former years, and for
secondary diseases several persons were admitted twice, and even thrice.
I have been very well satisfied with the working of the Act during the year as far as
it has been accomplished. None of the diseases treated could be traced to the registered
prostitutes, and I have myself personally examined patients with a view to ascertain from
whence the disease was derived.
Mandalay, Prome, Rangoon, and even Allanmyo, were the places given in which the
disease had been contracted. In about three cases of syphilis Bassein figured, unregistered
prostitutes of the Talaingyoung quarter being named.
The facts as above stated were brought to the notice of the Magistrate, but up to date
I am unaware of any arrests having been made.
The total number of venereal affections treated in the civil and jail hospitals was 71,
or a decrease on the previous year of three cases.
The most satisfactory feature of the year is the decrease of the more serious form of
disease.
IV.—Whether a cantonment committee for exercising special supervision over the rules has existed
during the year, and what officer composes it.
No committee is in existence. The Deputy Commissioner watches over the working of
the Act. The hospital has not been so frequently inspected as during the previous year.
The Chief Commissioner, Commissioner, and Inspector-General of Hospitals visited the
institution. The principal cause of complaint was the small number of women on the regis
ter in relation to the size of the town.
V.—What special measures have been taken for the control of prostitution, especially for preventing
the damages arising from unlicensed prostitution.
The Inspector mentioned in the reports of former years as having been deputed to
pay special attention to the quarter in which the prostitutes are located has continued on
the duty during the year.
In other portions of the report I have shewn that unlicensed prostitutes do exist, more
especially in the Talaingyoung quarter. Whether the failure of prosecution of these
women rests with the Magistrate or with the police I must leave for other and more com
p e t e n t p e r s o n s t o j u d g e .
VI.—How far the registration has been efficient ; to what it extends, and over what area ; any increase
or decrease as compared with the previous year.
That there are unregistered prostitutes in Bassein there can be no doubt ; and of this
there has been proof in the fact that disease has been contracted from such. I am aware,
although it might be difficult in a court of justice to secure conviction, that women other
than registered have been secured by captains of ships.
The difficulties in the way of conviction are great. During the year under report, a
woman was brought before the Magistrate, and evidence against her was found. She was dis
missed on the ground, I believe, that the witnesses were not respectable. What respectable
person would come forward in such a case ? It was reported to the Magistrate also that
the woman was in a high state of disease. Still no steps were, or could be, taken.