( 8 )
From the above, it will be seen that registration has been carried on effectually during
the year ; and it is evident that it cannot have been without effect, when it is considered
what a large number of women have been prevented from carrying on their trade by being
admitted to hospital when diseased, and who would otherwise have spread disease in all
directions. Of the registered women, I have estimated that at least two-thirds of them
have suffered from secondary syphilis at some period of their existence ; and I believe about
one-half of these have been so affected as to be never safe,—that is to say, any discharge
or abrasion is sufficient in them to communicate the disease to others. I always look
upon these women with suspicion, and admit them to hospital for the slightest discharge or
abrasion.
The class of prostitutes to which registration extends includes the very lowest kinds of
women of all classes, namely, Burmese, natives of India, Europeans, the latter chiefly being
Germans or Russians : there is only one Eurasian on the list,—a remarkable fact, consider-
ing the size of Rangoon. I have reason to believe that there are many women in Rangoon
of a higher class than those usually registered who Ought to be licensed as prostitutes, and
who spread disease on a much larger scale even than their sisters on the register.
VII.—Whether registration fees have been levied, and at what rate.
Each woman pays a monthly fee of one rupee, except when in hospital. The total
sum received from prostitutes was Rs. 4,640-4-0, viz., Rs. 3,969-8-0 on account of fees and
Rs. 670-12-0 fines. Of the latter, Rs. 409-8-0 were realized by the Magistrates and Rs. 261-4-0
by the Medical Officer from women punished for breaches of hospital rules. The total expen-
diture was Rs. 14,936-9-8, leaving Rs. 10,296-5-8 to be made up by Government.
VIII.—Whether the women have been regular at the periodical examinations.
The periodical examinations during the early part of the year were held twice a month.
Since July they have been held four times, owing to a recommendation made by the Deputy
Surgeon-General, and sanctioned by the Chief Commissioner. During the year there have
been 35 examinations, the average attendance at each being 65 per cent. of prostitutes on
the register. From those absent must be deducted 24 per cent. sick in hospital, leaving
about 11 per cent. actual absentees,—a great improvement on last year, and less than
almost any other lock-hospital in the province. Considering the facilities Rangoon offers
to women for hiding themselves away for a long time without being discovered, this is very
creditable. Appended is a statement of the periodical examinations :—
A v e r a g e n u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s , 4 7 1 · 2 .
Months.
N u m b e r o f e x a m i n a t i o n s .
N u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u e s p r e - s e n t .
N u m b e r s i c k i n h o s p i t a l .
N u m b e r a b s e n t .
T o t a l .
N u m b e r e x a m i n e d .
N u m b e r u n f i t .
N u m b e r f o u n d d i s e a s e d .
January
..
..
2
623
152
44
819
470
153
26
February
..
. .
2
612
160
106
878
499
113
38
March
..
..
2
603
174
105
882
555
48
52
April
.. ..
2
612
161
108
881
566
46
32
May
..
..
2
637
182
91
910
572
65
56
June
..
..
2
683
153
96
932
611
72
38
July
..
..
3
979
312
132
1,423
862
117
104
.
August
..
. .
4
1,093
525
292
1,910
952
141
82
September ..
..
4
1,227
546
179
1,952
1,073
154
85
October
..
. .
4
1,254
524
199
1,977
1,046
208
91
November ..
..
4
1,173
528
277
1,978
982
191
75
December ..
..
4
1,160
558
233
1,951
966
194
77
Total ..
35
10,656
3,975
1,862
16,493
9,154
1,502
756
Total averageat each
examination
..
..
304.4
113 . 5
53
.2
471 . 2
261
.5
42.9
21.6
Percentage-65 present, 24 sick, 11 absent.
The total number of women reported to the Magistrate as absent were 1,862, including
those who were reported at each successive examination as absent until their names were
struck off, viz., a period of two months. One hundred and three women werse arrested and