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instance of this, the Thayet-myo garrison for the year 1879 may be taken, where
a larger number of troops were on service than in any other cantonment.
The average strength of the European force was 1,480 and of the Native 1,465.
Among the Europeans there were 117 cases of venereal disease; while among the
Natives there were only 17, so that, although there was not a single admis-
sion for venereal among the small sepoy force stationed at Bassein during the
year 1880, the circumstance is in no way remarkable.
The returns of the civil dispensary show a decreased number of cases of
venereal complaints among the applicants for medical treatment, but the improve-
ment is inconsiderable. Among Burmese criminals venereal maladies are
infrequent.
The following table gives what information the civil hospital and jail statistics
afford on the question :—
Statement showing the extent of venereal disease treated at the Bassein Civil Dispensary
and Jail Hospital, during the last three years.
Name.
1878.
1879.
.
1880.
N u m b e r o f p a t i e n t s .
V e n e r a l d i s e a s e s .
N u m b e r o f p a t i e n t s .
V e n e r a l d i s e a s e s .
N u m b e r o f p a t i e n t s .
V e n e r a l d i s e a s e s .
Civil dispensary
3,750
83.
5,990
211
6,774
189
Jail hospital
...
294
4
313
4
279
3
The class that derives most benefit from the working of the Contagious
Diseases Act in Bassein are European sailors, of whom an increasing number are
annually brought by their occupation to this port. The advantages secured to
them by separating and confining diseased prostitute women are incalculable.
There is no doubt that a large proportion of the seafaring folk when in Bassein
visit the registered prostitutes' lines. In the busy shipping season they may fre-
quently be seen in groups going to and from the quarter, and that they are often
saved from contracting severe disease there is, in the face of things, conclusive ;
and venereal maladies among sailors cause more suffering, and are more often fol-
lowed by evil consequences, than among other classes of men, for at sea medical
treatment is often not possible, and is sometimes ignorantly and injudiciously
employed. It has been proposed to abolish the lock-hospital in Bassein ; but so
long as this seaport thrives and is populous, the benefits that accrue to sailors
from the working of the Act claim attention and consideration.
IV.—Whether a Cantonment Sub-Committee for exercising special supervision over the rules has existed
during the year ; and what officers compose it.
The Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, and the Civil
Surgeon are the officials who administer the Act.
V.—What special measures have been taken for the control of prostitution, specially for preventing the
danger arising from unlicensed prostitutes frequenting the lines.
No special measures have been introduced during the year of report, nor is
there any special agency employed whatever for controlling prostitution :this
duty is amalgamated with other duties which pertain to the town police. The
registered women all live in neighbouring houses on a road given over to them
known to the police as " Bamboo Alley," and this is the best safeguard,' as affecting
casual visitors like sailors, against unlicensed prostitution and its dangers. Quite
recently the women were made to shift their quarters because the ground on
which they had squatted, and for years past occupied, had become traversed by a
public thoroughfare of some importance and objections were lodged to their