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cannot quite concur in the result being very satisfactory ; my own idea is that, the present
system fails because we employ criminal police—that is, rough men connected with
the administration of criminal justice—to interfere with and control among certain
classes, the most delicate, the most private, and withal the most urgent necessities of life,
these irrepressible and natural wants of man being administered to by the weaker sex.
Until we realize the idea that it is women, and not men, who should be employed in
matters connected with the weaker sex, I do not see how any improvement is to be
attained ; yet Government set the most dreaded machinery in motion to hunt up unfor-
tunate women, who are dragged off to the lock-hospital wards, whose residence in which
is looked upon by most like criminal imprisonment, which, if the patients fly from,
they are hauled up before a police court and are liable to criminal pains and penalties.
All this appears to me so utterly opposed to the benign objects of the Contagious
Diseases Act, that I cannot conceive how it should be a matter of surprise that the
benevolent results desired to be attained should fail of their object. When the Govern-
ment may be pleased to arrange that only female police or hospital matrons should
be employed to deal with the fallen of their sex, then the registers will more faithfully
represent the true state of affairs, and lock-hospitals will be a means of effectually
dealing with the foulest disease known to humanity.
10. I annex extract of some remarks noted by Dr. Oswald Baker in his letter No. 21,
dated 6th February 1878, and from his letter No. 47, dated 20th May 1878, to my address,
which have ameliatory objects in view.
Extract from letter No. 21, dated 6th February 1878, from Surgeon Oswald Baker to the
Commissioner of the Pegu Division.
I am of opinion, too, that it would directly tend to the soldier's advantage in India if some steps were taken to
ameliorate the prostitute's condition. It is now usually found that before a woman can become a prostitute she
must place herself under the protection of a male adherent, whose dissolute habits have to be provided for from the
earnings of her trade before any remuneration for herself is secured ; and this practice compels submission to double
the amount of sexual intercourse that would probably be suffered if the class had only themselves to maintain. It
is this excessive intercourse which is so productive of venereal maladies ; and the introduction of any measure
reducing it would be of incalculable benefit.
Extract from letter No. 47, dated 20th May 1878, from Surgeon Oswald Baker to the Deputy
Commissioner, Thayetmyo.
In addition to the views expressed therein, I would remark, having regard only to local considerations, that it
would be of considerable advantage to provide the registered women with cleanly and durable houses, supplied with
requisites necessary to the maintenance of efficient sanitation, to have these dwellings frequently and carefully
inspected, and to limit the number of men living in them with the women.
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE THAYETMYO LOCK-HOSPITAL FOR THE YEAR 1878.
I.—Nature and extent of accommodation, &c.
THE lock-hospital is a substantial teak wood building, and is situated in a small com-
pound adjoining the civil dispensary. It is about eight feet raised from the ground, and
has accommodation for 12 patients, whilst the average number of inmates for the year
under review was only 5.6. No changes or additions.
•
II.—Changes in medical charge, &c.
Surgeon Oswald Baker held charge until the 12th December, when, as a temporary
measure, Surgeon H. J. Hazlett, of the 32nd M. N. I., officiated for him during his absence.
III.—The extent of venereal disease among the European troops.
The weekly returns of venereal diseases amongst the European troops were regu-
larly received, and shew that there was a considerable diminution in the number (48) of