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7. Copy of the report on the working of lock-hospitals in British Burma for
1877, with the Chief Commissioner's remarks, and letter from the Quarter-
master-General of Bengal to the Secretary to the Government of India in the
Military Department, No. 1356 of 20th February 1878, also the proceedings of
the Government of India of 14th October 1878, were circulated to the Civil
Surgeon, Cantonment Magistrate, and Superintendent of Police, and suggestions
invited, but no recommendations were received.
The result of the system, so far as disease acquired here is concerned,
appears satisfactory ; but from the comparatively few women on the roll, the
result would seem to arise from the immunity from disease among women who
carry on the trade clandestinely. However, there can be no doubt that it is a
necessity having an institution where diseased women can be treated. As
regards the system itself—that is as far as it is worked through police agency—
I recorded my opinion in the report for the year 1878.
THAYETMYO.
I.—Nature and extent of hospital accommodation, whether suitable, or any alterations or additions
taken place during the year.
The Thayetmyo Lock-hospital is a substantial and well constructed teak wood
building, with one large central ward for the sick, completely surrounded by an
extensive verandah and two smaller apartments, which are projected forward from
the two front angles of this verandah. It is raised on posts about eight feet above
the ground, and stands within a small enclosure at the rear of the charitable
dispensary. The situation is both suitable and convenient.
The hospital was built for the treatment of the sick prostitutes, and is a very
good lock-hospital indeed. It can hold without overcrowding 12 patients,—
a number three in excess of the maximum for which accommodation has ever been
required. A cook-house of galvanized iron has been erected during the year,
while the hospital itself has been painted on the inside and earth-oiled out.
No further additions are now necessary, but the latrine requires altering.
II.—Changes in the medical charge of the hospital during the year.
Surgeon-Major H. J. Hazlett, in medical charge of the 32nd Regiment Madras
Native Infantry, officiated for Surgeon O. Baker, Civil Surgeon of Thayetmyo,
from the 15th January to the 15th May, and again from the 6th November to the
6th December. The latter officer was, with these exceptions, in charge throughout
the year.
III.—Extent of venereal diseases amongst the European troops as shown by the monthly returns.
There have been numerous additions and changes in the Thayetmyo Garrison
during the year of review. The European force which remained in occupation
from the year 1878 consisted of the 44th Regiment of the line, with an average
strength of 441 men, and two batteries of artillery, with a united average strength
of 180 men, making a total average strength of 621 soldiers ; and among this
force there were, during the year 1878, 48 cases of venereal disease, equivalent to
7.7 per cent. For the year of report the corresponding calculation is more com-
plicated, because much of the military force was not present for the entire year.
The strength of the garrison is shown in detail in the following statement ; but this
is the strength during the period of occupation only, which with some of the reliefs
was of short duration. Allowing that 12 men for a single month are in a reckoning
of averages numerically equivalent to one man for 12 months, it is found that the
mean average strength of the European section of the Thayetmyo Garrison for
the year 1879 was 1,249 infantry and 231 artillery, or an average combined force
of 1,480 men, among whom there were 117 cases of venereal disease,—a ratio of
7.9 per cent.
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