( 2 )
III.—The extent of venereal disease among European troops, as shewn by the weekly returns.
The following table exhibits the extent to which venereal diseases prevailed amongst
the European troops :—
STATIONS.
Average strength.
Number of
for
s
admission
venereal disease
of all forms.
Ratio per mille.
In 1877.
1875.
1876.
1877.
Ratio per mille,
excluding
im-
ported cases.
Rangoon
..
..
611
169
111.29
95.88
276
Thayetmyo ..
..
559
64
157.95
79.20
110.40
60
Toungoo
..
..
417
45
60.92
122.27
107.19
It will be observed that there has been a very large increase in the amount of vene-
real diseases amongst the soldiers in Rangoon, and that it was greater than it has every
been since the Lock Hospital was established. The Medical Officer, in his report, has not
shewn the average strength of European soldiers during the year, nor the rate per mille
among them; but I have ascertained this from other sources of information at my disposal.
The average strength was 611, so that the rate per mille was 276. There were a good
many changes in the garrison during the year, and it is possible some of the cases were con-
tracted elsewhere; but no information has been afforded by the Medical Officer on this point
either. At Thayetmyo, a somewhat more satisfactory state of matters appears to have
existed, as, excluding the cases known to have been contracted elsewhere, the ratio per mille
fell to 60. Including all cases, however, it mounted to 110.40, against 79.20 in 1876,
when no doubt some of the cases were imported also, but the number was not given in
the Medical Officer's report for 1876, and therefore could not be excluded from the calcula-
tion. Viewed in this light, there has been a considerable increase of disease at Thayetmyo
also.
It was remarked in last year's report how much more the Artillery seemed to suffer
than the Infantry at Thayetmyo, the ratio in the Artillery being more than double what it
was in the Infantry. This has been the case again in 1877, but to a less extent. In the
Infantry, with a daily average of 407 men, they suffered at the rate of 9.5 per cent.; in the
Royal Artillery, with a daily average of 152, they suffered at the rate of 16.12 per cent.
At Toungoo, there was a slight decrease in the amount of disease. It is admitted on
all sides how prevalent clandestine prostitution is and the great amount of disease shewn
to have occurred amongst the troops by the return furnished proves how inadequate the
laws are under which the Lock Hospitals are worked.
IV.—Whether a Cantonment Sub-Committee, for exercising special supervision over the Rules, has
existed throughout the year.
There are no Cantonment Sub-Committees at any of the stations. The hospitals are
under the control of Deputy Commissioners and Town Magistrates.
V.—What special measures have been taken for the control of prostitution, and especially for preventing
the danger arising from unlicenced prostitutes frequenting the lines.
No special measures, other than those authorized by the Acts, have been adopted for
the repression of clandestine prostitution and the control of licensed women. The in-
adequacy of the staff for working these Acts, has been pointed out before. At Rangoon,
the only Inspector employed for this duty has to hunt the town all night and be at Court
all day; much efficiency cannot be expected from him therefore. At some of the stations,
prostitues reside in recognized quarters and in licensed brothels. To be effective, however,
this system requires that more authority should be given to the Police, and power to a Medi-
- c a l O f f i c e r t o m a k e m e d i c a l i n s p e c t i o n s , — t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n , i n f a c t , o f t h e s y s t e m a d o p t e d
on the continent of Europe. Unfortunately, it appears that this cannot be done without
the enactment of a new law, and at large increase of expenditure, though why this need be,
I do not comprehend, as a considerable revenue should be realised from the fees imposed
for permission to keep a house of this sort open. Failing this, the Police establishment
working the Acts as they are should be at once increased. The Chief Commissioner
recognised the necessity for this last year, in his resolution on the reports for 1876; but no
steps appear to have been taken by the Magistrates in consequence.
VI.—How far the registration has been efficient, to what classes it extends, and over what area.
Registration remains much the same. There has been a small increase at five of
the hospitals and a decrease at three, the chief of which is Rangoon. On the whole, there
is a decrease of 43 as compared with 1876. The following table supplies the information
in detail:—