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From the Officiating Civil. Surgeon, Bassein, to the Deputy Commissioner, Bassein,—No. 57, dated the
9th February 1876.
I HAVE the honour to submit the report on the working of the Lock-hospital during the
year 1875.
2. I regret that it has been necessary for you to call a second time for it, and beg to
explain that a desire to make the report a complete one, has retarded its submission.
3. It is now forwarded with a statement, pertaining to paragraph 2, absent ; but, on
the arrival of the required information from Rangoon, this deficiency will be supplied.
Endorsement by the Deputy Commissioner, Bassein,—No. 8-9, dated the 10th February 1876.
COPY of the above, with report in original, forwarded to the Commissioner of Pegu, with
reference to his reminder. No. 41, dated. 28th January, and telegram of the 9th instant.
Annual Report on the Lock-hospital at Bassein for the year 1875.
THE kutcha hospital, consisting, as former reports have described it, of materials
highly inflammable and prone to rapid decay, is
still in use. Plans and estimates for new buildings
have been prepared, and submitted in the usual
manner. The Municipality has concurred in an
opinion expressed by the local Administration, that half the cost of construction should
be borne by the town, and better and more substantial accommodation will shortly be pro-
vided.
The old hospital is sufficiently large, and, as the . plan of the new one, shows similar
dimensions, ample capacity remains secured. The same site and situation will be utilized,
and the locality is free from every objection, besides being eminently convenient to those
interested.
The temporary structure has received no additions during the year, beyond some petty
repairs directed to maintain its component parts in position, and to keep it dry.
I.—Nature and extent of hospital accommoda.
tion whether suitable, or any alterations or ad.
ditions taken place during the year.
II—Any changes in the medical charge of the
Lock-hospital during the year.
None.
Ordinarily, no troops are stationed here: during the past year, however, half a company
of European soldiers belonging to the 1st battalion
of the 21st Foot, with head-quarters at Rangoon,
was detached from the main body, and sent to
III.—The extent of venereal disease among the
European troops as shown by the weekly returns.
Bassein for a few months.
The accompanying return* shows to what extent they suffered from venereal disease.
Concerning the case of syphilis, it certainly was not
contracted from a registered prostitute, and, as a
newly-arrived soldier is unlikely to obtain intercourse with anyone else, it is my impression
he acquired his disease before he came to Bassein. This, also, was the firm opinion of the
Medical Officer in charge of the detachment.
No such Committee is in existence. The working of the Act is watched by the Deputy
Commissioner. I am persuaded he has adopted every
means at his disposal for the suppression of clandes-
tine prostitution. He is a constant visitor at the Lock-
hospital, and is always ready to give me his assistance
in the management of the institution.
Another Inspector has been added to the Bassein local police force, who is energetic
and clear-sighted. He has been appointed to that
division of the town in which the prostitutes reside,
and has been directed to pay particular attention to
the prostitutes' quarters, and to bring to notice any
unlicensed practice.
Bassein prostitutes have never before been placed under such strict surveillance, and
yet their numbers have not increased.
In forming an opinion whether the registration of prostitutes has been efficiently
carried out, the subject requires to be carefully con-
sidered, and is not to be decided in haste. There are
of prostitute women, two distinct classes—the bona
fide order, who live in a recognized quarter, and sit at
their doors with painted faces, lanterns, and looking-
glasses, inviting all comers ; and the secret set, who have no association, do not publicly
confess prostitution, but are available when called upon. Between these two sest there is
a gap ; and, although in the eye of the law no separation is acknowledged, it is, and will
remain, a matter of much difficulty to bring them under the same conditions of inspection
and registration. The first must either abandon her locality and her lantern, or figure on
4
* No return received.
IV.—Whether a Cantonment Sub-Com-
mittee for exercising special supervision over
the rules has existed during the year, and
what Officers comprise it.
V.—What special measures have been
taken for the control of prostitution, and es-
pecially for preventing the dangers arising
from unlicensed. prostitutes.
VI.—How far registration has been effi-
cient, to what it extends, and over what area.
Any increase or decrease in numbers as com-
pared with previous years.