( 3 )
Arakanese only eight cases of clandestine prostitution were detected and that there
were no Arakanese women on the register at the end of the year. At Thayetmyo,
both civil and medical authorities appear to have exerted themselves to carry out
the rules efficiently, with such success that only 60 per mile of the garrison con-
tracted venereal disease in the station. The proportion of registered prostitutes to
the general population is really much greater than is shewn in the report. Prac
tically, the area protected is that of the town with a population of 10,427,
which, with an average of 24.9 prostitutes registered, gives a proportion of
o n e i n . 4 1 8 . T h e l a r g e a m o u n t o f d i s e a s e a m o n g t h e m e n o f t h e A r t i l l e r y
compared with the Infantry is still remarkable. It points, as suggested by the
Deputy Commissioner, to the probability of illicit prostitution among the Native camp-
followers, and to the need of greater watchfulness on the part of the military author-
ities. The Deputy Commissioner mentions a plan adopted by Lieutenant-Colonel
Hand at Secunderabad—of associating civil and military police—which is well worth
a trial elsewhere. The complaint made by the Medical Officer in charge of the
hospital, that Madrassee women convicted of illicit prostitution are not brought on
the register as directed by the rules, requires immediate attention and explanation.
The report sent in from Thayetmyo is carefully prepared and complete, affording
in this respect a contrast to most of the others. The returns sent in from Toungoo
do not even shew the number of prostitutes registered during the year, and many
of the figures given are unintelligible and absurd. The report is not creditable
to the officers who prepared it.
5. The total cost of the Lock-hospitals in the province during the year
under review amounted to Rs. 25,767-10-7, as compared with Rs. 19,714-15-1 in
the previous year. The receipts aggregated Rs. 5,023, or a decrease of Rs. 1,115
as compared with those of 1876.
6. The report is calculated to raise doubts as to the expediency of attempt-
ing to control and regulate prostitution, except at stations where troops are quar-
tered. At the same time, it may be said that while the law in force does probably
to a considerable extent prevent the spread of disease, the full advantage which
might be derived from it, were it thoroughly and carefully carried into execution, is
not at present reaped. The best is not made of existing materials, and com-
plaints are too readily urged as to the importation of disease from sources over
which there is no control, of the inconvenient situation and structure of hospitals,
and the like. So long at least as the present law is in force, it ought to be
thoroughly carried out; and in commending the subject to the earnest consider-
ation of all officers concerned, the Chief Commissioner trusts that another year's
7.
report will shew a satisfactory improvement on the work of 1877.
Deputy Inspector-General, Indian Medical Department, British
Burma Division ; Assistant Quartermaster-General, British Burma
Division ; Principal Medical Officer, Queen's Troops ; Sanitary
Commissioner, British Burma ; Commissioners of Divisions,
Deputy Commissiners, and Civil Surgeons.
ORDER.—Ordered that a copy
of this Resolution be forwarded to
the officers named in the margin for
information.
B y order of the Chief Commissioner,
C. W. STREET, MAJOR,
Secretary.