NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
( ii )
STATEMENT No. 1.—Showing the Area over which the Rules for the prevention of Venereal Disease have been in force and the Details of Expenditure on Lock-hospitals
during the year 1884.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
S t a t i o n s .
Date on which the lock-
hospital was established.
Act under which the
rules are in force.
Area over which the rule
are in force
E s t i m a t e d N a t i v e p o p u l a t i o n
w i t h i n t h e a r e a o v e r w h i c h
t h e y a r e i n f o r c e .
A v e r a g e n u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s o n t h e r e g i s t e r d u r i n g 1 8 8 4 .
T o t a l m o n t h l y c o s t o f e s t a b l i s h -
m e n t .
W h e t h e r 1 s t o r 2 n d c l a s s l o c k - h o s p i t a l .
1 Rangoon ...
... 19th May 1871
... III of 1880 ...
... 102 square miles...
...
185,723
440.16
Rs. A. P.
1st class.
2nd class.
558 0 0
2 Bassein
...
... 11th February 1872 ... XIV of 1868
... 14
ditto
...
...
33,502
21.2
80 0 0
3 Thayetmyo ...
... 1st June 1869
... III of 1880 ...
... Within seven miles around the
cantonment.
38,236
30.66
89 0 0
4 Akyab
...
... 8th September 1871 ... XIV of 1868
... Town under Municipality ...
33,989
4449
124 0 0
5 Moulmein ...
... 1st October 1871
...
Ditto ...
... 14 square miles ...
...
53,107
68.6 .
94 0 0
6 Toungoo ...
... 19th June 1874
... III of 1880 ...
... Within four miles around the
cantonment.
20,000
17.11
95 0 0
STATEMENT No. II .—Showing the operation of the Rules for the prevention of Venereal Disease in the Stations of British Burma during the year 1884.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
N o .
Stations.
N u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s r e m a i n i n g a t c l o s e o f 1 8 8 3 .
N u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s a d d e d t o t h e r e g i s t e r d u r i n g 1 8 8 4 .
T o t a l n u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s o n t h e r e g i s t e r d u r i n g 1 8 8 4 .
N u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s w h o r e m o v e d t h e i r n a m e s , d i e d , a b s c o n d e d , & a m p ; c . , i n 1 8 8 4 .
N u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s r e m a i n i n g o n t h e 3 1 s t D e c e m b e r 1 8 8 4 .
A v e r a g e n u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s o n t h e r e g i s t e r i n 1 8 8 4 .
A v e r a g e n u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s a t t e n d i n g p e r i o d i c a l e x a m i n a t i o n i n 1 8 8 4 .
N u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s r e p o r t e d f o r n o n - a t t e n d a n c e a t e x a m i n a t i o n s i n 1 8 8 4
N u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s f o u n d d i s e a s e d a n d d e t a i n e d f o r t r e a t m e n t i n 1 8 8 4 .
A v e r a g e d a i l y n u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s i n h o s p i t a l i n 1 8 8 4 .
1 Rangoon
...
...
...
466
200
666
303
363
440.16
313.22
567
794
81.91
2 Bassein
...
...
...
...
26
19
45
22
23
21.2
20.3
8
22
1.7
3 Thayetmyo
..
...
...
...
...
31
13
44
16
28
30.66
23.83
33
38
3'89
4 Akyab
...
...
...
...
44
22
66
25
41
44.49
44.01
10
43
3.89
5 Moulmein
...
...
...
...
...
61
11
72
17
55
68.6
57.
15
30
3.7
6 Toungoo
...
...
...
...
15
17
32
14
18
17.11
15.67
30
29
2.47
(iii.)
RANGOON :
D. SINCLAIR, M.B.,
The 24th February 1885.
Inspector-General of Jails, with
Civil Medical Administration, British Burma.
610i,
STATEMENT No. III.—Showing the Receipts and Expenditure on account of Lock-hospitals during the year 1884, and also the Funds from which this Expenditure has
been paid.
1
2
3
4
5
6
RECEIPTS.
EXPENDITURE.
How PAID.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N o .
Stations.
R e g i s t r a t i o n f e e f r o m p r o s t i t u t e s .
F i n e s l e v i e d u n d e r t h e
r u l e s .
T o t a l r e c e i p t s .
P a y o f M e d i c a l O f f i -
c e r s .
P a y o f e s t a b l i s h m e n t .
A l l o t h e r e x p e n s e s .
T o t a l e x p e n s e s .
B y G o v e r n m e n t .
F r o m c a n t o n m e n t < b r
funds.
O t h e r s o u r c e s .
T o t a l .
D e d u c t a m o u n t r e a l i z e d
b y f e e s a n d f i n e s .
N e t c o s t t o G o v e r n -
m e n t .
–
Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P.
RS. A. P.
Rs. A. P.
Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P.
Rs. A. P.
1 Rangoon
. . .
. . . 1,817 5 0 1,817 5 0 1,158 4 6 4,206 5 5 6,829 11 10 12,194 5 9* 12,194 5 9 ...
. . .
12,194 5 9 1,817 5 0 10,377 0 9
2 Bassein
. . .
. . .
31 0 6 31 0 6
604 13 5 388 2 10 207 9 6 1,200
9±
9
. . .
... 1,200 9 9 1,200 9 9
31 0 6 1,169 9 3
3 Thayetmyo
. . .
. . •
. . . 1,400 0 0§ 599 15 8 478 0 0 328 15 6 1,406 15
2±
. . .
... 1,406 15 2 1,406 15 2
. . .
1,406 15 2
4 Akyab
. . .
. . .
8 7 6
8 7 6
600 0 0 886 7 11 1,011 9 8 2,498 1 7±
. . .
... 2,498 1 7 2,498 1 7
8 7 6 '2,489 10 1
. . .
. . .
200 0 0 132 0 0 231 1 8
563 1 8t
. . .
...
563 1 8 563 1 8
. . .
563 1 8
5 Moulmein
—
. . .
. . .
150 0 0 132 0 0 195 6 2
477 6 2* 477 6 2 ...
. . .477 6 2
. . .
477 6 2
6 Toungoo
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
600 0 0 540 0 Oj 1,139 0 6 2,279 0 6±
. . .
... 2,279 0 6 2,279 0 6
. . .
2,279 0 6
* Provincial funds. | † Municipal funds. | ‡ Town funds. § Contributions from Military Department, Madras:
4.
( 2 )
In estimating the cost to the State of the lock-hospitals of this province, it
would be of practical importance could we tell with accuracy the full extent of the
evil which may ultimately flow from these 50 cases of syphilis. But if a conjec-
ture were allowable, that evil may not unfairly be regarded as small when we con-
template the mild and curable form of the disease in the present day and divest
our minds of the terrible pictures of it that history presents us with as having
no place save in the jaundiced imagination of the syphiliphobist.
The foregoing remarks may be summed up in a few words. The Act itself
possesses inherent defects, the working of it entails much unsatisfactory labour
upon those entrusted with it, and much anxious vigilance that the invasion of
private rights involved in the process may be reduced to a minimum, while hitherto
the resulting benefits have been small, if not problematical.
REPORT
ON THE
LOCK-HOSPITALS, BRITISH BURMA,
FOR THE YEAR 1885.
RANGOON : PRINTED AT THE GOVERNMENT PRESS, 1886.
RESOLUTION
ON THE
REPORT ON LOCK-HOSPITALS
IN
BRITISH BURMA
FOR THE YEAR 1885.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner, British Burma, in the General Department,—No. 8S.,
dated the 13th March 1886.
READ—
Report of the Sanitary Commissioner on the working of the several lock-hospitals in the prov
ince of British Burma for the year 1885, with remarks by the Deputy Surgeon-General, Her
Majesty's Forces, British Burma Division.
RESOLUTION.—During the year 1885 lock-hospitals were maintained at Ran
goon, Toungoo, Thayetmyo, Bassein, and Akyab ; those at Rangoon, Toungoo,
and Thayetmyo for the protection of the troops stationed there, those at Bassein
and Akyab for the benefit of the seafaring population. The cost of maintaining
the lock-hospital at Rangoon is defrayed from provincial funds ; the others are
supported by the Municipal or Town Committees of the towns in which they are
established. The buildings used as lock-hospitals are reported to be in good
repair and suitable for the purpose for which they are used;
2. During the year under review the European garrison increased from 1,628
to 1,861, but the increase in the number of cases of venereal disease was more
than proportionate to the increase in the number of troops. The total number
of admissions to hospital, 370 of which were fresh cases and 22 relapses and
importations, amounted to 392 as against 317 in the previous year. Owing
mainly to an increase of over 100 per cent. in Rangoon, the ratio of admissions to
total strength rose from 176 . 86 in 1884 to 198 . 8 in the year under review. In
Toungoo, where last year the increase was most marked, there was a diminution
of over 50 per cent. The attention of the Rangoon Cantonment Committee,
whose duty it is to supervise the execution of the lock-hospital rules, has been
called to the unsatisfactory working of the Act, and they have been asked to advise
as to the measures which should be taken to render the rules more effective. It
may be necessary to increase the number of policemen employed specially on
lock-hospital duty, and the opinion of the Committee has been asked on this
point.
1. No change took place in the measures for preventing unlicensed prostitu
tion, but the rules were enforced with less rigour than in previous years. No arrests
were made in Akyab and Toungoo ; in Rangoon the number .of women arrested
decreased from 236 in 1884 to 207 in the year under review. There was a slight
decrease in the number of prostitutes registered and a corresponding decrease in
the average number admitted to hospital. In Rangoon, Akyab, and Bassein but
ittle change, as compared with last year, took place in the regularity of attend-
(2)
ance at the periodical examinations. There was a considerable improvement in
Thayetmyo, but in Toungoo the percentage of attendance to the number on the
register was considerably less than in 1884. Greater activity than in 1884 was
shown in punishing licensed prostitutes for breaches of the rules. The number
of women who absconded diminished from 170 in 1884 to 53 in 1885. Only four
cases of desertion are reported from Rangoon, which in 1884 supplied the whole
number of desertions for the province. The reason for this improvement appears
to be that the Magistrate now issues summonses immediately returnable, whereas
the former practice of fixing a date for appearance afforded time for flight. The
same procedure might with advantage be introduced in Thayetmyo, where out of
53 women cited before the Courts 49 absconded. The Chief Commissioner is
unable to agree with the Deputy Surgeon-General that it is desirable that warrants
should be issued in the first instance against women accused of breach of the
rules.
By order of the Chief Commissioner,
E. S. SYMES,
Offg. Secretary.
REPORT
ON
LOCK-HOSPITALS, BRITISH BURMA,
FOR THE YEAR 1885.
THE statistical facts regarding the several lock-hospitals in the province are
tabulated in the Appendix. All these institutions were inspected by me once or
oftener in the course of the year and were found in good, or fairly good, working
order.
I.—The nature and extent of the hospital accommodation, whether it is suitable, and whether there has
been any change in it during the year.
In the marginal statement the extent of the lock-hospital accommodation and
the towns where the provisions of the
Contagious Diseases Act were in force
during 1885 are shown. No alterations
have been effected in these hospitals,
and their respective Superintendents
describe them as being in good repair
and in every way suitable.
II.—Any changes in the medical charge of the lock-hospitals during the year.
Rangoon. —Surgeon-Major H. Johnstone, M.D., held charge of the lock-hospital
from the 1st January to the 25th September ; Surgeon-Major H. Griffith from the
26th September to the 25th October ; and Surgeon-Major H. Johnstone, M.D.,
during the remainder of the year.
Toungoo. —Surgeon M. Smith held charge of the lock-hospital from the 1st
January to the 10th November ; second grade Apothecary G. B. Fonseca from
the 11th November to the 9th December ; and Surgeon C. S. Rundle, M. B .,
during the remainder of the year.
Thayetmyo.— Surgeon E. P. Frenchman held charge of the lock-hospital
from the 1st January to the 14th March ; Surgeon P. W. Dalzell, M. B., from the
15th March to the 24th September; and Surgeon-Major J. Backhouse from the
25th September to the 31st December.
Bassein. —Surgeon P. W. Dalzell, M. B. ,
h e l d c h a r g e o f t h e l o c k - h o s p i t a l
from the 1st January to the 3rd March and Surgeon S. H. Dantra, M. D ., from
the 4th March to end of the year.
Akyab. —Surgeon-Major O. Baker held charge of the lock-hospital from the
1st January to the 19th April ; Assistant Surgeon O. L. Munshi from the 18th
April to the 19th May ; and again Surgeon-Major O. Baker from the 18th May
to the 30th September ; and Surgeon P. W. Dalzell, M. B ., from the 1st October
to the 31st December.
Beds.
Rangoon
. . .
...
. . .
... 71
T o u n g o o
...
...
. . .
... 6
Thayetmyo ...
. . .
. . .
... 12
Bassein
. . .
...
...
... 8
Akyab
...
. . .
. . .
... 8
( 2 )
III.—The extent of venereal disease among European troops as shown by the weekly returns.
The extent of venereal disease in the European garrisons of the province
during 1885 is shown in the subjoined table, in which also are contrasted the
ratios for the past six years :—
Stations.
A v e r a g e s t r e n g t h .
N u m b e r o f a d m i s s i o n s o f a l l f o r m s .
Ratio per mille.
1885.
1879.
1880.
1881.
1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
Rangoon
...
825 . 21
236
184 . 51
216 . 69
164 . 17
225 . 03
192 . 36
193 . 29
286·99
Thayetmyo
...
665·
79
79 . 05
82 . 50
92 . 20
131 . 42
68 . 29
97 . 64
118·8
Toungoo
...
371·
55
93·61
81 . 37
176·55
222 .44
268 . 44
269 . 66
148·25
Total
... 1,861 . 21
370
86 . 10
86·48
101 . 66 132. 75
168 .51
176·86
198·8
The sum of admissions, 370 for 1885, is 82 in excess of that for the preced-
ing year ; the aggregate rate, 198·8, is also higher, and is the highest attained
in any of the years of which the above table takes cognizance. Relapses and
imported cases, 22 in all have, as in 1884, been excluded.
In the following statement the admissions of the soldiers to hospital for the
last two years, excluding admissions due to importation and relapses, are
classified :—
Rangoon.
Thayetmyo.
Toungoo.
1884.
1885.
1884.
1885.
1884.
1885.
Primary syphilis
...
...
. . .
51
119
18
42
65
15
Secondary do.
...
...
. . .
2
12
6
5
18
5
Gonorrhœa
...
...
...
. . .
53
105
38
32
37
35
The increased prevalence of the more serious disorders amongst the troops
stationed at Rangoon and Thayetmyo is deserving of notice. In the former it is
ascribed mainly to the inadequacy of the police force supplied to supervise the
working of the Act, and in the latter to the importation in April of a large num-
ber of affected soldiers, who spread disease through women who practise clandes-
tine prostitution.
IV.—Whether a cantonment sub-committee for exercising special supervision over the rules has existed
throughout the year, and what officers comprised it.
The control of the Rangoon lock-hospital continued under Government
throughout the year. In Akyab, Bassein, Thayetmyo, and Toungoo the lock-
hospitals were under the control of their respective Municipalities. Nominally
there are Cantonment Committees at Rangoon, Thayetmyo, and Toungoo ; but as
said in the previous report, most of them appear to have no working existence.
V.—What special measures have been taken for control of prostitutes, and especially for preventing the
danger from unlicensed prostitutes frequenting the lines.
Same as in previous reports, and clearly inefficient and most unsatisfactory.
VI.—How far the registration has been efficient, to what class it extends, and over what area.
Registration extends to all classes and is applicable to the same area as in
former years (vide Statement I, Appendix). Registration, except at Bassein, is
reported to have been inefficient. The activity of the police in effecting the
arrest of women for practising unlicensed prostitution during 1885 may be
( 3 )
gathered from the following table, in which for comparison the figures for the
preceding five years are also given :—
Stations.
1880.
1881.
1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
Akyab
...
...
...
. . .
37
5
6
32
12
. . .
Rangoon
...
...
...
. . .
400
396
128
426
236
207
Bassein
...
...
...
. . .
32
14
17
10
5
8
Thayetmyo
...
...
...
. . .
21
21
11
28
7
7
Toungoo
...
...
...
. . .
. . .
7
5
7
1
...
VII.—Whether registration fees have been levied, and at what rate.
No fees levied.
VIII.—Whether women have been regular at the periodical examination, any remarks as to the causes
of irregularity, the number of individual women reported for non-attendance, the fines or other
punishments awarded, and the amount realized.
In the following table the percentages of attendance at the periodical exami-
nation to average number on the registers are given for 1885 and the preceding
five years :—
Stations.
1880.
1881.
1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
Akyab
...
...
...
98·60
99.67
98·01
99·51
98·92
99·18
Rangoon
...
... ...
65·09
66·17
65·99
69·32
71 . 16
71·38
Bassein
...
...
. . .
81·01
90·88
87·01
75·65
95·75
94·86
Thayetmyo ...
...
...
78·70
87·79
87·55
86·09
77·72
86·02
Toungoo
...
...
. . .
79·24
75·87
54·88
82·36
91·58
84·44
As in 1885, the attendance seems to have been most regular at Akyab and
Bassein and, as usual, worst of all at Rangoon. Information as to the number
of individual women reported for non-attendance is detailed in column 10 of
Statement II. The following table shows the number of women arrested, pun-
ished or acquitted, and the number of desertions :—
NUMBER
Stations.
A r r e s t e d .
I m p r i s o n e d .
F i n e d .
A c q u i t t e d a n d r e l e a s e d .
D e s e r t e d .
Rangoon
...
... ...
. . .
244
43
189
8
4
Toungoo
... ...
...
...
36
...
3
33
. . .
Thayetmyo ...
... ...
. . .
53
. . .
4
. . .
49
Bassein
... ...
...
. . .
8
5
3
. . .
Akyab
... ...
...
17
Result not stated.
5
Total
...
358
43
196
44
53
The amount realized as fines was Rs. 1,339 at Rangoon plus Rs. 420-12-0
awarded by the Medical Officer for infringements of hospital rules, Rs. 4 at Toungoo,
Rs. 150 at Thayetmyo, and Rs. 26 at Bassein. The amount realized at Akyab
is small.
IX.—The arrangement for examining and treating women of this city and cantonment.
Same as in previous years.
(4)
X.—How far the disease has increased or decreased among women, to what extent it has become
•
less virulent, its nature as compared with that among 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 illness.
The aggregate number of prostitutes found diseased, 891, and the aggregate
daily average number in hospital, 81·75, are shown in detail in columns 11 and
12 of Statement II. The corresponding figures for the previous year were 926
and 93·86.
The percentages found diseased to average strength for 1880—1885 are com-
pared below :—
Stations.
1880.
1881.
1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
Akyab
...
...
...
...
201. 63 138.96 123.40 116 . 49
96. 65 145·53
Rangoon
. . . ...
...
...
223. 02 207·80 205 . 58 209 . 80 180 . 39 187·91
Bassein
...
...
...
...
119 .76
80 .00
99 .57 124. 35 103 .77 112·15
Thayetmyo
...
... ...
...
261 .82 221 .57 109 .43 156. 52 123.94 152·81
Toungoo
... ...
...
...
117·85 398 .47 642·48 217 . 10 169.49 79·41
The other information required under this head may be readily gathered
from the following statement showing the diseases with which the women were
affected :—
SYPHILIS.
Stations.
G o n o r r h œ a .
L e u c h o r r h œ a .
B u b o .
P r i m a r y .
S e c o n d a r y .
O t h e r d i s e a s e s .
T o t a l .
Akyab
...
...
...
...
...
35
...
. . .
3
. . .
22
60
Rangoon ... ...
...
...
...
139 161
1
279
52 119 751
Bassein ...
... ...
...
. . .
2
2
. . .
5
7
8
24
Thayetmyo
... ...
... ...
24
. . .
. . .
9
...
8
41
Toungoo ...
...
...
...
5
. . .
. . .
5
...
5
15
Total
... 205
163
1
301
59
162 891
Comparing this table with the one for 1884, it will be seen that, deducting
the figures for Moulmein, which no longer possesses a lock-hospital, the diseases
prevailing amongst those treated in these hospitals during the past two years
were very similar in their nature, and taking all the stations together, that no
satisfactory relationship can be established between the female ailments and those
affecting the military, which under existing circumstances,—imperfect supervi-
sion,—can hardly be looked for.
The admissions to dispensaries for venereal diseases during the past six years
are exhibited in the subjoined statement :—
Stations.
1880.
1881.
1882.
1883.
1884.
Rangoon
...
...
...
...
1,268
1,110
1,926
1,628
1,739
1,714
Toungoo
...
...
...
. . .
159
225
137
97
137
213
Thayetmyo ...
...
...
...
111
183
119
122
131
174
Bassein
...
...
...
...
188
100
176
385
355
296
Akyab
...
...
...
...
226
156
136
214
232
261
Total
...
1,952
1,774
2,494
2,446
2,594
2,658
They have in recent years become more frequent, and, as remarked in the
previous report, the general public seem to derive as little protection from regis-
tered prostitution as the military ; but it should be borne in mind in this
connection that dispensaries are yearly becoming.more and more popular.
(5)
XI.—How far dhais are employed, and with what success.
No dhais have been engaged.
XII.—Any information on other matters, or suggestions for the improvement of the rules.
Similar to what was given in the previous year's report under this head,
except that the Thayetmyo Committee, judging from the following extract from
their proceedings dated 16th January last, and just received, appears to have
awakened to its responsibilities :
—
"Read Lock-hospital Report for 1885. The Committee regret that the recommenda-
tion made by the Civil Surgeon in his last year's report about the removal of the prostitutes'
quarter was not carried. out. The members think it necessary that the prostitutes' quarter
should be removed somewhere near the Nowa Bustee, and hope that the recommendation
will be carried out without any delay. The sites where the lines are to be moved to be
fixed by the Civil Surgeon in company with U Naung and U Hlaing. They also approve
the suggestion of placing the detectives under the orders of the Civil Surgeon."
I would invite particular attention to the remarks of the Officiating Deputy
Surgeon-General, to whom the several lock-hospital reports were submitted for
criticism, contained in the letter in the Appendix.
D. SINCLAIR, M.B.,
Inspector-General of Jails, with
Civil Medical Administration, British Burma.
2
STATEMENT No. I.—Showing the Area over which, the Rules for the prevention of Venereal Disease have been in force and the Details of Expenditure on Lock-hospitals during the year 1885.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
N o .
Station .
Date on which the lock-
hospital was established.
Act under which the
rules are in force.
Area over which the rules
are in force.
E s t i m a t e d N a t i v e p o p u l a t i o n w i t h i n t h e a r e a o v e r w h i c h t h e y a r e i n f o r c e .
A v e r a g e n u m b e r o f p r o s t i t u t e s o n t h e r e g i s t e r d u r i n g 1 8 8 5 .
T o t a l m o n t h l y c o s t o f e s t a b l i s h m e n t .
W h e t h e r 1 s t o r 2 n d c l a s s l o c k - h o s p i t a l .
1
Rangoon
...
... 19th May 1871
... III of 1880 ...
... 102 square miles...
...
185,723
39965
Rs. A. P.
733 0 0
1st class.
2
Bassein
...
... 11th February 1872
... XIV of 1868
... 14
ditto
...
. . .
33,502
214
80 0 0
3
Thayetmyo ...
... 1st June 1869
... III of 1880 ...
... Within seven miles around the
cantonment.
38,236
26.83
89 0 0
4
Akyab
...
... 8th September 1871
... XIV of 1868
... Town under Municipality ...
33,989
41-23
121 0 0
2nd class.
5
Toungoo
...
... 19th June 1874
... III of 1880 ...
... Within four miles around the
cantonment.
20,000
18.89
95 0 0
ii