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TENASSERIM DIVISION.

From Major W. C. PLANT, M. S. C., Officiating Commissioner of the Tenasserim Division, to the Officiating
Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, British Burma,—No. 353-47, dated the 18th February 1880.

     I HAVE the honour to forward the reports on the operation of the lock-hospi-
tals of Moulmein and Toungoo for the year 1879. The late receipt (17th instant)
of the former report has caused delay in the submission of this report.

          Moulmein Hospital.

     2. The Moulmein Hospital is worked under Act XIV. of 1868, and is under
the superintendence of the Town Magistrate, and
visited from time to time by the Commissioner and
Deputy Commissioner. Registration is carried out by an Inspector of Police
specially appointed for the purpose, under the orders of the Town Magistrate.

          Toungoo Hospital.

    3. The Toungoo Lock-hospital is worked under Act XXII. of 1864, and, as
already observed in last year's report, there is no Sub-
Committee to superintend the administration of the
Act; but the Cantonment Magistrate and Civil Surgeon practically act in that
capacity, a native Police Sergeant watching over the prostitutes.

     The reports of the Medical Officers of both the institutions show that the
accommodation provided is ample. The situation of the Moulmein Lock-hospital,
as has already been remarked upon, is objectionable.

          Toungoo.

     4. There were 41 admissions among the European troops stationed at Toun-
goo during the year of report. Of this number, it is
said that seven men contracted the disease elsewhere,
thus reducing the number of admissions from venereal affections contracted at
Toungoo to 34, which, compared with a total strength of 431, may be regarded as
not excessive. Out of a total strength of 800 Native troops, not a single case was
admitted from any venereal affection.

     The admissions among the civil population appear to have increased from
226 in 1878 to 244 in the year of report; and this increase the Medical Officer
attributes to the greater appreciation by natives of European treatment and
medicine for the disease, and to the increasing popularity of the institution
amongst them.

     Medical examinations of the prostitutes were held at the lock-hospital once a
week. Eighteen admissions of diseased prostitutes are recorded in the year of
report (one of these was from dysentery); 17 may therefore be taken as the correct
figures, against 20 in the previous year. No fees are imposed on prostitutes, and
no breaches of the rules are reported to have occurred during the year.

          Moulmein.

     5. The number of prostitutes on the register at Moulmein at the beginning of
the year is recorded as 54, 42 prostitutes were newly
registered during the year and 18 struck off, leaving
78 on the books at the end of the year. The Medical Officer remarks, this year
again, that 78 can scarcely be regarded as truly representing the number of
persons practising prostitution. Of the 18 struck off the register, 11 are reported
to have absconded and seven had their license cancelled.

     The attendance of the prostitutes in Moulmein is reported to have been
irregular during the year of report; 115 women were sent before the Magistrate