( 2 )
7. At Toungoo, I have already noted that the situation is an undesirable one
from its being so far removed from the civil hospital, but in this opinion, however,
Mr. Rivers Thompson differed from me. There is no doubt, however, but that
inconvenience must be, and is; felt.
Report on the Lock Hospital, Moulmein, for the year 1877.
SINCE last year, no alteration has been made in the lock hospital or out-buildings.
Repairs as needful have been carried out, but the new building is greatly needed to supersede
the temporary hospital. The accommodation provided by the hospital has been annually
reported, and it has not been necessary to increase or alter it. The average daily sick has
been 4·78 during the year. The average space per inmate was 3,923 cubic feet. Repairs
are carried out as required on representation made to the Department Public Works. All
the buildings and the enclosures are kept in a cleanly state. The site is naturally well
drained. Water is obtained from a good well close by, which also supplies the general
hospital all the year round.
2. There was no change in the medical charge of the lock hospital during the year.
3. A wing of the 4th and a wing of the 15th Regiments, M. N. I., have been stationed
in Moulmein during the year. Returns in the usual form, exhibiting the extent of venereal
disease in the respective corps, have been furnished by the officers in medical charge.
Regiments.
Period
of occupation.
Average strength
during period of
occupation.
Admission of
venereal diseases.
No.
Rate of admission
per 1,000 Qf
strength.
4th Regiment
..
.. 9 months
..
350.88
Gonorrhœa..
..
1
2.80
Primary syphilis
..
3
14.28
15th Regiment
..
.. 3 years
..
210
Bubo..
I
..
..
4
19.04
Disease contracted at other places
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Balance number of cases contracted at. Moulmein ..
..
..
..
..
8
There was an increase last year in the number of cases of venereal diseases in the 15th
Regiment. Very little of such disease, however, occurred, and the slight increase may be
accounted for, as the regiment has been a year longer in the station. It is found, as a rule,
that the longer a corps is garrisoned in a cantonment, the larger is the number of cases of
venereal among the men.
4. The lock hospital is a civil institution, and is supervised by the Town Magistrate
and visited from time to time by the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner resident in
Moulmein.
5. The control of prostitutes at their homes is under an Inspector of Police acting
under the orders of the Magistrate especially told off for the purpose. He looks for inform-
ation to the police constables and to patients applying at the general hospital for
treatment for venereal diseases. Seven women were brought up before the Magistrate for
practising prostitution without license: five were convicted (two fined and three imprisoned)
and two acquitted. As previously reported, it is extremely difficult to obtain convictions,
either from want of sufficient evidence other than that of the accused, or from unwillingness
of men to disclose the name and whereabouts of prostitutes by whom they have been
diseased. No persons have been found to keep brothel-houses without license. Ten pros-
titutes were brought up before the Magistrate for various breaches of the rules : nine were
fined, and one acquitted. Prostitutes admitted into hospital conduct themselves, as a
rule, very quietly and decently. The matron, the cook, and the sweeper woman constitute
the establishment of servants, and have performed their duties satisfactorily.
6. Prostitutes are registered by the Police Inspector especially appointed to the lock
hospital under the control of the Magistrate. Registration is chiefly confined to Burmese
and Coringees (natives from the Madras coast); there are also a few Bengalees. The number
on the register at the beginning of the year was 67. Thirty-nine registrations were entered
during the year, and 57 women struck off, leaving 49 on the register at the close of the
year. Registration extends over the limits of the town of Moulmein, an area of 10½ square
miles, and may be regarded as sufficient.
7. Registration fees are not levied from prostitutes in the town of Moulmein, and the
lock hospital is in no way self-supporting.
8. The attendance of prostitutes at the periodical examinations has not been on the
whole as regular as it was during previous years. Ninety-one women were reported to the