STATEMENT No. XVI
Showing the prevalence of venereal diseases.
CASES PER OENT. OF STRENGTH.
YEARS.
Primary
syphilis.
Secondary
syphilis.
Gonorrhœa,
&c.
TOTAL.
1874
.
.
.
.
1.77
.66
.68
3.11
1875
.
. . .
1.48
.71
1.07
3.26
1876
.
. . .
1.47
.51
.82
2;.80
1877
.
. . .
1.28
.47
.75
2.60
1878
.
.
. .
1.92
.54
1.47
3.93
XX
45. The annual returns show the prevalence of venereal disease in the
Native Army to have
reached a higher ratio
in 1878 than for several
years, and the same ex-
planation of its causa-
tion is given as in a cor-
respondingly high ratio
for Europeans, viz. , the
general scarcity of food
and the wider area of
prostitution. There is
more reason to credit
such a cause as having
effect with natives than
with Europeans; at least
it is easy to imagine their opportunities of illicit intercourse are more frequent.
In studying the venereal statistics of the Native Army, a wide margin must be
given for concealed disease. Both gonorrhœa and primary sores are frequently
treated in the lines, and more than one case of absolute poisoning has resulted
from using medicines (corrosive sublimate) of their own or a comrade's prepar-
ation. The Surgeon-Major of the 23rd Native Infantry reports that a good
deal of disease was contracted from public women who had gone to reside in
the serais which adjoin all the camping grounds in the Punjab; women who
had sought to avoid the lock-hospital rules of cantonments.
46. There has been a considerable falling-off in the numbers of recruits
and others vaccinated during the year by army surgeons. The duty is attended
with. many difficulties, and if a regiment is marching, the annual inspection
and vaccination are usually deferred. As it can only be efficiently performed
during the cold season and is confined to recruits, it is not always practicable
to secure the necessary ten days' leave from drill ; and without this the vesicles
(from the 4th to the 12th day) are so liable to injury, consequent failure, and
troublesome sores, that its benefits are doubtful. The practice is now estab-
lished by law among all residents and children in military stations, and its spread
will naturally extend widely in the next generation. Although medical officers
frequently report that their men are universally protected by previous attacks
of small-pox or inoculation, yet it is clear that this is not so, for there were 193
admissions and 14 deaths from small-pox. The inference is strong, either that
many native soldiers have had neither, or that inoculation is not so general as
it used to be. The medical inspection ought to be far more rigidly exercised,
and only ocular demonstration, not the personal statement of recruits, relied
on. A few selected. and carefully examined men only should undergo vacci-
nation. All recruits should not lose two weeks' drill with the result that
nineteen-twentieths have no developed vesicle at all.
47. Apart from the malaria which has prevailed over the Punjab, and the out-
break of cholera which took place near Morar in the 41st Native Infantry, there
has been no severe epidemic reported. Beriberi, an acute dropsy supposed to be
associated with malaria, was present somewhat commonly among the camp
followers at Shillong; and small-pox has had local prevalence in Assam and
Cawnpore, chicken-pox at Deyrah, and measles at Cawnpore. The terrible famine
in Cashmere brought with starving refugees the fatal type described as relapsing
fever, and even typhus was not unknown. A medical officer of distinguished
reputation, the late Surgeon-Major J. R. Johnson of the 5th Punjab Infantry,
died of typhus at Abbottabad, where it was said to be common in the lodging-
houses of the Cashmeree refugees. So sudden and fatal was pneumonia in the
camp of the 1st Sikhs and 4th G-hoorkhas at Jellalabad that it was suspected to be
infectious in this epidemic form, and the sick in different stages were segre-
gated, while the attendants were relieved as often as possible.
48. The question of granting rum as a ration to natives has been put forward
by several medical officers, but seldom allowed. It would seem preferable that,
when procurable, those who would eat meat should have a ration twice or even
three times a week; and to those who object a ration of " goor " or raw country