(3)
5. The report on the Thayetmyo Lock-hospital is creditable to the officer
Who prepared it. It shows that the Act was carefully and, on the whole, success-
fully worked during the year. The number of prostitutes on the register increas-
ed from 19 at the beginning to 28 at the end of the year. The attendance of the
women at the weekly examinations was fairly regular, about 84 per cent. being,
on an average, present at each examination. The total number of prosecutions
for non-attendance was 21, but only 11 women were convicted and punished.
Further particulars should have been given, showing why more prosecutions were
not instituted, and why so large a number of those actually instituted resulted
in a discharge. Fifty-two cases of disease occurred among the women, and the
average number in hospital was 4.4. The statistics of the disease among the
European and Native troops are decidedly satisfactory. The total number of cases
of disease among the European troops was 7.9 per cent. of the total strength of
the garrison, or 4.9 per cent. if imported cases are excluded. Among the Native
troops the percentage was .7 only. It is not very clear why the suggestions of
the Commanding Officer for the co-operation of the military and civil police in
the detection of clandestine prostitution were not adopted. It is only with the cordial
co-operation of the military authorities that prostitution can be satisfactorily con-
trolled. A report on this matter will be called for.
6. The only other town at which European troops are stationed is Toungoo.
Here the number of registered prostitutes is only 15, and it is evident that
clandestine prostitution must be widely practised. But, apparently, only two cases
were detected and punished. The attendance of the women at the periodical
examinations appears from the returns to have been irregular, the percentage pre-
sent at each examination having been about 70. The statement of the Medical
Officer that the women were very regular in their attendance requires explanation.
The number of cases of venereal disease contracted by the European troops was
seven per cent. of the strength of the garrison. Among the Native troops not a single
case of venereal disease occurred. This comparative immunity from disease is
attributed by the Civil Surgeon to the efficient working of the Contagious Diseases
Act, by which it is presumed the Cantonment Act is meant. But there is nothing
in Dr. Power's somewhat meagre report to prove that this view is correct.
7. At Moulmein a small Native garrison is stationed. The average strength
of the garrison in 1879 was 327, and nine cases of venereal disease occurred
among the men. The number of women on the register was 54 at the beginning
and 78 at the end of the year. The increase is satisfactory, but the number of
registered. women should undoubtedly be much larger than it is. Twelve women
were prosecuted for practising clandestine prostitution, but only three of these were
convicted. The attendance of the registered women at the periodical examinations
averaged 82 per cent. of the total number of the women on the register. One
hundred and fifteen women were "reported to the Magistrate" for non-attend-
ance, but the number of convictions is not stated. It must apparently have been
very small, as the total amount of fines levied during the year, including those
inflicted on two women for carrying on illicit prostitution, amounted to Rs. 15 only
for the whole year. An explanation of this curious result is required.
8. The statistics of the Akyab, Bassein, and Prome Lock-hospitals do not call
for special remark. The number of registered women is very small at all three