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X.—How far disease has increased among the women ; to what extent it has become less virulent ; its nature as
compared with that among the men.
Nothing like virulence has been observed amongst the women. As a rule, the Burmese
are more often affected by local diseases, whereas the natives of India more often present
mild local effects and severe constitutional symptoms. This is only what might be expected,
the disease being less likely to develope into a constitutional disease when it affects a race
to whom comparatively it has been recently imported.
It will be observed that the number of admissions to the lock-hospital during the last
two years are nearly double what they were in any preceding year. I do not, however,
consider that syphilis has increased in a proportionate manner in the town. On the contrary,
I very much doubt if it has not decreased in proportion to the increase of population.
The following table gives the amount of venereal amongst the troops, compared with
that treated in the jail and civil dispensaries and lock-hospital:—
Diseases.
E u r o p e a n t r o o p s .
G e n e r a l d i s p e n s a r y .
L o c k - h o s p i t a l . J a i l - N u m b e r o f p r i s o n e r s .
Primary syphilis
..
. .
. .
..
..
..
52
..
562
26
Secondary syphilis ..
. .
..
. .
..
..
4
..
175
7
Gonorrhœa..
..
. .
. .
..
..
43
..
200
1
Other syphilitic affections
. .
..
..
..
..
12
. .
4
11
Total
..
1 1 1
..
941
45
The number treated at the general hospital do not afford any criterion as to the
amount of syphilis amongst the populace. Natives, both of India and Burma, almost
invariably prefer their own remedies, and only come to the hospital as a last resort. That
syphilis should be more prevalent in Rangoon than other places in India cannot be
wondered at. Rangoon is a rapidly-increasing town, where the labouring classes of all kinds
rapidly make money. These classes are for the most part foreigners (chiefly Madrassees),
the Burmese being too idle and independent to compete with them. None of these imported
labourers are equivalent to the same classes in India : they are for the most part those who
cannot get their living there. It is also the same with prostitutes : all those who come to
Rangoon are of the very lowest classes, so saturated with disease that they find a difficulty
in obtaining a living in India, and seek for one in foreign climes. Rangoon offering better
facilities for Madrassees than any other place, it is here where they flock. I have noticed
that quite 75 per cent. of new arrivals are diseased,—many of them incurably so. In hospital
there are women who have been in-patients since their arrival in Rangoon, and there are
many more who ought to be so, but on account of the insufficiency of space they are
discharged so soon as they got in the slightest degree better. I think it may be considered
as satisfactory that venereal has not increased amongst the European soldiers proportionate
with the increase in the number of prostitutes.
XI.—How far dhaies have been employed, and with what success.
Dhaies have not been employed.
XII.—Concluding remarks and suggestions.
The Chief Commissioner has sanctioned the deportation of 41 incurables to their own
countries, at Government expense, on the recommendation of the Deputy Surgeon-General.
Although the names have been sent in they have not yet gone, and I think it would be
advisable, before they go, that measures should be taken to prevent their return. At the
same time, if possible, it would be desirable to introduce measures to prevent diseased
prostitutes coming to Rangoon.
It was recommended last year that the police staff should be increased. The necessity
for it was perceived by the Chief Commissioner, who mentioned it in his remarks. No alter-
ation has, however, yet been made.
In last year's report, also, the insufficiency of the medical staff was pointed out, and the
Chief Commissioner in his remarks said that application should be made to have it increased
in accordance with his views. An Apothecary was applied for, but one has not yet been
supplied.