( 23 )
From the Deputy Commissioner, Prome, to the Commissioner of the Pegu Division,—No. 34, dated the
8th February 1878.
I HAVE the honour to submit Annual Report and returns of the Prome Lock Hospital for
the year ending 31st December 1877, with my remarks thereon.
Remarks on the Annual Report of the Prome Lock Hospital for the year 1877 prepared by the
Civil Surgeon.
THE Civil Surgeon records bare results under most of the heads of his report, with-
out drawing conclusions therefrom, and few remarks appear to be called for from me.
2. The only noticeable feature in the administration of this institution is the number
of prostitutes who have either resigned or absconded.
3. Several of the registered women come from Upper Burma or from other districts,
and resign on the plea that they are about to return to their own country, or that they wish
to abandon their calling. As their reasons or excuses for resignation appeared reasonable
on summary enquiry, they could not have been justly compelled to remain on the roster for
weekly examination ; but precautions were taken, by instructing the police to prosecute women
who might afterwards be caught tripping in view to their enhanced punishment.
4. The police action in reference to women who absconded has been very unsuccess-
-ful. An explanation is tendered by the Superintendent of Police in a letter which accom--
panies this report, which has been partly endorsed by the Superintendent of the Lock-up in
conversation with me a few days ago.
From Mr. E. CAMPBELL, Inspector of Police, Prome, to the Deputy Commissioner, Prome,—No. 15, dated
the 5th February 1878.
WITH reference to your order of the 31st ultimo, in which you express a wish for an
explanation as to police action in cases of absconding and unregistered prostitutes, I have
the honour to state that I have received a letter from the Superintendent of Police, in which
he directs me to say that it appears to be a fact that seven women were punished and other
three acquitted on trial. Others have been arrested, but have been declared to be the wrong
women.
2. That for the most part they were Upper Burmese, not known to residents in Prome ;
and it is said they abscond soon after being registered, and leave the place immediatelyafter
their medical examination on Monday, getting a clear week's start, as they are not reported
till after the following Monday at the earliest, when they have every chance of getting away
to Upper Burma or to Rangoon, or other distant places. Some women have been arrested
because they bore similar names to those applied for, and have been declared to be the wrong
women. It is in the matter of identification, the Superintendent says, in which the difficulty
seems to lie, because they are for the most part unknown people.
3. He (the Superintendent) further states that, being away in the district on urgent
business, he has not the time to go through the records, and concludes by stating that, out
of the eleven unregistered prostitutes, nine were sent up, but two were acquitted. The remain-
ing two, reported as " a Madrassee " and " a Burman woman," naturally could not be found
without some one to point them out, and no one could do so.
Annual Report on the Prome Lock Hospital for the year ending 31st December 1877.
THE hospital has undergone no alteration since last year's report was finished. The Rail-
way Department have not as yet taken over the building, neither has anything been done
towards the erection of a new one. The present building is a good one, but its site is
most objectionable : it is quite close to a much-frequented public road, and also to some of
the European residences.
2. Second Class Hospital Assistant Abdool Jubber was in charge the whole year.
3. The admissions during the year (under review) for venereal diseases shews a marked
decrease on those of last year, the total number being 37, as against 91 in 1876. This shews
actually a very great improvement, as the average numbers on the register were nearly the
same, viz., in 1876, 23.8 ; and in 1877, 23.4 ; and I believe they are carefully and well
examined.
4. The Deputy Commissioner supervises the carrying out of the rules. There is no
sub-committee.
5. The municipality gives rewards for the conviction of unregistered women, and there
are registered brothels in different parts of the towns where the registered prostitutes reside.
6. The women are registered in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, who sends me
a memorandum of each registration. The women appear at the hospital for examination on
the following morning. The number of prostitutes remaining on the register on the 1st
January 1877 was 30, those registered during the year 31, making a total of 61. During the