( 2 )
III.—The extent of venereal disease among European troops as shown by the Weekly returns.
European troops garrison but three towns in this province,—Rangoon, Thayet-
myo, and Toungoo. The extent of venereal disease amongst them is shown in the
subjoined table, which also contrasts the ratios per thousand for the past quin-
quennial period :—
Stations.
Average
strength.
Number of
admissions
for venereal
diseases of
all forms.
Ratio per mille.
1883.
1879.
1880.
1881.
1882.
1883.
Rangoon
...
...
733
141
184.51
216.69
164.17
225.03
192.36
Thayetmyo ...
...
659
45
79.05
82.50
92.20
131.42
68.29
Toungoo
...
...
488
131
93.61
81.37
176.55
222.44
268.44
Total
... 1,880
317
86.10
86.48
101.66
132'75
168.51
Judged by the number of admissions as well as by the ratios, there would
appear to have been a very decided improvement in 1883, comparing it with the
previous years, at Thayetmyo. The improvement is less satisfactory at Rangoon,
and Toungoo's ratio for the year under review is exceptionally high.
The foregoing conclusions are modified by the following considerations. But
one of the 141 Rangoon cases was imported. This leaves 140 locally acquired
in 1883 as against 119 only in the previous year. These 141 cases are classified
thus :—
Primary syphilis (including imported case)
...
...
86
Secondary syphilis
. . .
...
...
...
2
Gonorrhœa
...
...
. . .
...
...
53
In the report for 1882 primary syphilis (84 locally acquired) was said to show
a marked increase over the previous year's figures. In the year under review the
figures are 85, still one in excess. Gonorrhœa was far more prevalent than in 1882,
which returned but 21 having a local origin. Amongst the prostitutes, though
there has been an increase in primary syphilis, there has been no unusual pre-
valence of gonorrhœa to account for the marked increase of this disease amongst
the troops. The decrease in the cases of secondary syphilis alone leaves room
for congratulation and points to the supposition that most of the 84 .primary cases
reported last year had no specific character.
Of Thayetmyo's 45 cases 8 were imported and 9 were re-admissions or
relapses, leaving 28, compared with 35 for 1882, to be accounted for locally.
These 45 cases are classified thus :—
Primary syphilis ...
...
. . .
. . .
...
27 (6 imported).
Secondary syphilis
...
. . .
. . .
. . .
7
Gonorrhœa
...
. . .
. . .
. . .
...
11 (2 imported).
As noticed by the Deputy Surgeon-General in his letter in the appendix, the
difference in the results obtained at Thayetmyo and Rangoon can only be explained
by the way in which the Act is worked.
In view of the fact that disease amongst the women at Toungoo has decreased
by about two-thirds, the great increase of venereal amongst the European troops is
incontestable proof that proper safeguards against clandestine prostitution have
not been enforced. There can be no greater difficulties in carrying out the pro-
visions of the Act at Toungoo than are experienced at Thayetmyo. Dr. Dalzell
w o u l d a t t r i b u t e t h e u n f a v o u r a b l e r e s u l t s t o t h e i n c r e a s e d y o u t h o f t h e a r m y a n d
t o
the more general prevalence of venereal amongst the people now than formerly.