( 2 )
3. In conclusion, I may remark that I think the Civil Surgeon goes too far
in saying that the working of the Act is a farce. The mere fact that 153 cases of
venereal disease have been treated in the hospital disproves this assertion. No
doubt, by more vigorous police supervision over outsiders, the spread of disease
could to some extent be checked; but this appears to raise the doubtful question
of how far Government is justified in taking measures for the punishment of vice,
or making enquiries into the private life of citizens to attain this end. With the
women who are are willing to be registered it is different. I think they should be
strictly dealt with and made to comply with all the provisions of the Act.
AKYAB.
I.—Nature and extent of hospital accommodation.
The lock-hospital buildings were fully described in the report of 1877.
There appears to have been ample accommodation during the year, provision
being made for 12 patients.
The average number of patients has been only 5.77, with a maximum average
during March of 10.8.
The buildings are old and dilapidated, but, notwithstanding, are suitable for
the purpose to which they are put. No change has occurred during the year.
II.—Changes in the medical charge of the hospital during the year.
From the beginning of the year to April Dr. M. Sweetman was in charge,
from April to commencement of December Dr. C. G. R. Naylor, and since the
latter date the writer of the present report.
Three Hospital Assistants have successively carried on the subordinate duties.
III.—Extent of venereal diseases amongst the European troops.
There are no troops in this station. This appears to me to be not an
improper place to refer to the venereal diseases treated amongst the civil popula-
tion as shewn in the hospital returns.
The increase of disease during the past two years is very marked, the
number of venereal affections treated having risen from 112 in 1874, 124 in 1875,
110 in 1876, and 123 in 1877 to 298 in 1878 and 226 in 1879. To what is this
increase to be attributed ? To a real increase in the amount of disease amongst
the people, or to a larger number of affected persons applying for relief. I am
disposed to the opnion that there is real increase of disease. The persons mostly
treated are Chittagonians and Bengalees, and I am not aware that the hospital is
any more popular now with these classes than it was five or six years ago.
The figures in the comparative statement must be taken for what they are
worth ; they certainly do not speak favourably as to the working of the Act in
Akyab.
IV.—Whether a Cantonment Sub-Committee has existed throughout the year.
No Sub-Committee is in existence. The working of the Act has been in
charge of the Town Magistrate.
V.—What special measures have been taken for the control of prostitution, and especially of unlicensed prosti-
tution.
As far as I can ascertain, it has been the duty of the police to look after the
registered women only, persons carrying on unlicensed prostitution being uninter-
fered with, unless their conduct is complained of by the town-people. If the
above is correct, the working of the Act is
simply a farce, and the sooner a change
is effected the better.
VI.—How far registration has been effectual, &c.
All the prostitutes on the list are Natives of India ; not a single Burmese or
Arakanese woman figures as such. That there are any number of these latter
carrying on prostitution there can be no doubt. The working of the Act cannot
be considered as efficient in the absence of a considerable number of natives of