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that prostitution on the sly has extended. Some means of controlling this
unlawful practice, much of which, I believe, takes place around regimental lines,
ought to be employed ; but I imagine that so long as venereal disease among the
troops keeps within its present limits, no Commanding Officers will readily co-
operate in the introduction of measures interfering with the liberty accorded their
men, or imposing new duties on their regimental police, while without assistance
from the military authorities attempted reform in the direction indicated would
be unavailing. Registration is supposed to extend to all classes of women living
within the area protected by the Act, which is 196 square miles ; but if only the
Burmese and Madrasee prostitutes practising within the limits of the town, an
area of about four square miles, could all be brought on the register, the author-
ities, both civil and military, might rest very well satisfied with this accomplish-
ment.
There was a larger number of prostitutes on the register on the last day of
the year 1879 than on the last day of the previous year by nine, but the average
number on the list and the average number attending the periodical examinations
remained very much the same. Twenty-five names were added to, and 16 re-
moved from, the roll during the year of report, while the corresponding numbers
for the previous year were 23 added and 27 removed. The average number on
the register was 23.6, and average number present 19.8, during the year 1879,
against 24.8 registered and 20 present in 1878. It must be pointed out however
that the average number on the register and the average number in actual attend-
ance increased as the year 1879 became advanced, and was at its highest during
the last three months of the year,—facts tending to show that the augmentation of
the garrison had commenced to be attractive, and promising auspiciously for the
future. The average number on the roll for the first half of the year was 19.2,
while for the last half it was 27.9.
VII.—what registration fees or payments of any kind are levied on prostitution in Thayetmyo.
The demand from prostitutes for any registration fees has been declared
illegal, and was discontinued in the month of April last year. Prior to this period
each woman paid a monthly sum of Re. 1. Before the practice was put a stop to,
Rs. 56 had been received during the year of report as fee-money for registration.
The discontinuance of the system has been, as far as I can ascertain, nugatory
in its effect.
VIII.—whether the women have been regular at the periodical examinations, any remarks as to the cause of
irregularity, the number of individual women reported for non-attendance, the fines, and other punishments
awarded, and the amounts realized.
Seeing that weekly examinations are enforced at the station, I think the
attendance has been satisfactorily regular. There has been some improvement
in this respect on the previous year. The average number of women on the
register was 23.6 ; average attending the periodical examinations, 19.8 ; number
of individual women reported for absence, 21 ; while the corresponding number
for the year 1878 were,—registered, 24.83 ; attended, 20.0 ; reported, 32.
Of the 21 women reported for irregular attendance, 11 were punished with
fines or imprisonment in default of payment. One of this number was sent to
prison, and Rs. 87 were realized from the others.
IX.—Arrangements for examining and treating the women of the town.
The periodical examinations are held every Wednesday morning at the lock-
hospital, and no examinations are undertaken elsewhere. Such women as are
found diseased are detained in the hospital for treatment, and are not allowed to
leave the institution until they are cured. The means at disposal for treatment
are satisfactory.
X.—How far disease has increased or decreased amongst the women ; to what extent it has become less virulent ;
its nature as compared with that amongst the men ; is there any relation between the two ? how far the
admissions amongst the women are due to non-venereal affections or to detention of women during the
monthly period.
The following table shows to what extent the registered prostitutes have
suffered from venereal disease during the last three years :—