3
Making due allowance for the diminution in the average strength of the
European force at Kamptee during the past, as compared with the previous
year, this statement shows a very considerable decrease in the number of admis-
sions among Europeans for venereal disease. This decrease is observable under
all three headings of primary, syphilis, secondary syphilis, and gonorrhcea. Under
the heading of primary syphilis the decrease has been least marked ; the number
of cases admitted having been 47 against 56 in 1876. Under the heading of
secondary syphilis, the decrease has been most marked, as there were only 9
admissions in 1877 against 18 in 1876. A very large decrease is also shown
under the heading of gonorrhcea ; the admissions being 119 in 1877 against 150
in 1876. By a strange coincidence, the actual admissions for gonorrhcea in 1875
and 1876 were respectively 119 and 150.
I took occasion in my report for 1876 to observe that the decrease in the
number of admissions for secondary syphilis was a subject of congratulation,
and I now repeat this observation with increased satisfaction, as the small
number of admissions under this head points to a mild type of the primary
disease. With reference to this point I have to place on record that Dr. Gulland,
the Senior Medical Off icer, British Troops, informed me a few days ago, that
lie had not seen a single case of indurated sore among the men since his arrival
at Kamptee ten months ago. I regret to be obliged to state that during the
last three months of the period embraced by this report, a considerable increase
has taken place in the admissions among the European troops for venereal
disease, chiefly under the heading of gonorrhcea ; and I have no doubt that this is
due to the spread of clandestine prostitution, for the repression of which, I think
more stringent measures require to be taken,
Monthly meetings of the Cantonment Sub-Committee were held regularly
throughout the year to inspect and criticize the returns
of venereal disease among the European troops and.
the registered prostitutes, and generally to supervise
the working of the institution,
The Committee is composed of the following officers :—
The Deputy Surgeon General, Nagpur Force.
The Deputy Commissioner of Nagpur.
The Senior Medical Officer, British Troops.
The Medical Offi cer in charge Lock Hospital,
The Cantonment Magistrate.
All these officers, excepting the Deputy Commissioner of Nagpur, attend
these meetings.
The Police were, as usual, instructed to capture and take before the Can-
tonment Magistrate any woman found carrying on
clandestine prostitution : and in addition to this, the
Royal Artillery Regimental Police have orders to
patrol the bazar and public roads to prevent clandestine prostitution being carried
on in their lines.
The number of women registered during the past year was 28 against 13
in 1876 ; but of these 28, 6 were women who had
been previously on the list, and having had their
names removed from the register on leaving the station,
or for other reasons, were re-registered. As I have already observed, there can
be no doubt that clandestine prostitution is carried on to a very considerabie
extent in Kamptee, and only unflagging vigilance on the part of the Police can
keep it even within moderate bounds.
As in previous years, the registered prostitutes were of two classes, viz
the 1st class for Europeans, and the 2nd class for natives ; the area of regis-
tration extending over 4 square miles ? An increase of 6 among 1st class, and
4. Whether a Cantonment Sub-
Committee, &c.
•
5. What special measures have
been taken for control of prosti-
tution.
6. How far registration has
been efficient, &c.
O