(3)
the place on the register. In 1877 it is stated that eight Arakanese women were
detected carrying on clandestine prostitution, and on examination found diseased.
This fact speaks volumes.
The area over which the Act extends is confined to municipal limits.
The average number of prostitutes on the register remains much about the
same. The following shows the number for six years :—
1874.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
45.4
43.8
45.7
56.8
69.5
56.3
It appears 64 women remained from last year, 18 were added during the year,
37 women were removed from the register for different causes, and 45 remained
at the end of the year. The decrease of nine women on the register between the
beginning and end of the year is a move in the wrong direction, and is not
matter for congratulation.
VII.—what fees are levied on prostitution.
No fees of any kind are levied in this town.
VIII.—whether the women have been regular at the periodical examinations, &c.
Weekly examinations are held in this station. Judging from the number of
individual women reported, viz., 49, the attendance at the examinations cannot
be considered as having been regular. Two women were reported six and one
woman seven times: 114 reports altogether were made to the Magistrate. Two
women were find Rs. 3, 12 were fined Rs. 5, and four were fined Rs. 10 each,—
in all 18 women fined the sum of Rs. 106. The small number of prostitutes
punished would seem to show that good reason was given to the Magistrate for
non-attendance in a large proportion of cases.
IX.—Arrangements for examining and treating the women.
The means for the examination of the women are on the whole satisfactory.
A small side room is provided with a suitable table, and is lighted by a window
in the roof and one in the wall. Every woman is examined with the speculum,
and I believe this has been done throughout the year. If menstruating, the
external organs of generation only are seen.
The supply of medicines and arrangements for treating the women whilst
in hospital appear satisfactory.
X.—How far disease has increased or decreased during the year. &c.
Thirty-eight cases of syphilitic affections and 115 cases of gonorrhœa were
admitted for treatment. The amount of disease is large, and no very favourable
contrast can be made with the previous years. It appears to have been the
custom during the early months of the year to place all cases of disease under
two headings,—syphilis and gonorrhœa. The absence of any cases of secondary
syphilis is peculiar. Such cases prevailed in previous years. In the latter
months no cases of syphilis are recorded, but only cases of soft ulcer. In the
absence of the appearance of the ravages of secondary syphilis amongst the
women, I am disposed to think that the cases recorded as syphilis in the early
months of the year must have been of the soft variety too.
I am informed by the Assistant Surgeon that cases of Hunterian chancre
are rare amongst the cases treated in hospital.
Amongst the women cases of gonorrhœa are in excess of cases of syphilis:
amongst the men the contrary is the case. This would incline me to the opinion
that numbers of cases of gonorrhœa go untreated amongst the men. Women
are not detained in hospital for non-venereal diseases or during the monthly
illness.
XI.—How far dhaies have been employed and with what success.
None are employed.
XII.—Any information on other matters or suggestions for improvement.
I can only suggest the stricter enforcement of registration. It would appear
from observation here and elsewhere that the police are unable to carry out a
proper supervision over prostitution. The appointment of a man for this special
work, and with a salary sufficient to place him beyond the influence of bribes,
might be attended with the best results.