REPORT

ON

LOCK-HOSPITALS, BRITISH BURMA,

FOR THE YEAR 1879.

ARAKAN DIVISION.

From G. J. S. HODGKINSON, Esq., B. C. S., Officiating Commissioner of the Arakan Division, to the Officia-
ting Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, British Burma,—No. 22–64, dated the 15th January 1880.

      I HAVE the honour to forward herewith copy of the Civil Surgeon's report on
the lock-hospital at Akyab for the year 1879, together with the Town Magistrate's
memorandum thereon.

      2. The attendance of registered prostitutes has been pretty regularly insisted
on during the year ; but nothing has been done towards the detection and regis-
tration of Arakanese women who clandestinely practise prostitution. That there
are not a few of this class I am convinced ; and their names should be known to
the police, even though the customs of the country may interpose difficulties to
their registration.

      3. But in any case, the protection afforded by the Act in Akyab must always
remain imperfect, and, as there are no troops in the station, I very much question
the propriety of keeping up the lock-hospital at all.

Remarks by the Officiating Town Magistrate of Akyab on the annual report on the Akyab Lock-hospital
for the year 1879.

      THE subject of lock-hospital management is receiving Dr. Foster's careful
attention. The figures given in his report show that the working of the Act in
Akyab cannot so far be considered satisfactory. The increase in venereal disease
is nearly double what it was in 1877, though it is considerably less than the
disease in 1878.

      2. I observe that my predecessor reported last year that he attributed the
increase of the disease entirely to the neglect of the Civil Surgeon for the time
being. The same officer was in charge till April in the year under report. Since
that time the examinations have been conducted with greater strictness. I have
conferred frequently with the Superintendent of Police on the working of the Act
and the best measure to pursue. He is of opinion that there is but little regular illicit
prostitution, and that the increase of the disease is due to the registered women.
I have already reported that I think further police supervision is required, but
this should be very carefully exercised. I observe that Dr. Foster makes the same
recommendation at the end of his report as I did in my No, 132, dated 16th
December 1879, forwarded to the Junior Secretary to the Chief Commissioner,
with reference to the check of the spread of venereal disease. Under recent orders
from the local Government, Akyab town has been amalgamated with the district.
I presume that, in consequence, the working of the Act will in future be under the
control of the Deputy Commissioner. The present building is very old, and it
would be better to build a new hospital altogether than to spend much in repairing
the present structure.