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      5. Control of prostitution.—Extra police were employed as detectives for the
purpose of preventing unlicensed prostitutes frequenting the lines and bazárs.

      6. Registration.—The number of prostitutes remaining on the register at the
end of last year was 74, and the number remaining on 31st December, 1877, was 65—
a decrease of 9. The average number for the 12 months has been 71.4, as compared
with 87.3 for the year 1876. Considering the limited area under police observation,
and the proximity to the lines of the city of Benares and the numerous bazárs, the
number of admissions among the European troops does not appear to me to be very
excessive. Any woman, not registered, found prostituting herself in the cantonments
is brought before the cantonment magistrate for registration.

      7. Registration fees.—No registration fees have been levied.

      8. Periodical examinations.—The women have been regular in their attendance
for the periodical examinations at the hospital. The number reported to the canton-
ment magistrate for absence without leave was 56, as compared with 86 during 1876.
In a few instances fines were levied and realized.

      9. Arrangements for examining women both of city and cantonment.—Every
registered woman is regularly examined twice a month, and those liable to disease are
examined more frequently, sometimes six or seven times a month. A large proportion
of the registered women in cantonments are clean in their persons and seldom diseased,
and some of these have repeatedly informed me that they are each under the protection
of one man (a native), and do not consort with Europeans. A small number of the
prostitutes are prone to disease, and are often under treatment, and when out of hospital
are made to attend regularly at stated times for inspection. Unfortunately two or three
of this class are good-looking, clean in dress, and attractive in appearance, and have
been frequently visited by some of the men. Taken as a body, the Benares prostitutes
are anything but desirable or attractive in appearance. I am not aware of the rules
existing in the city for the examination of women.

      10. How far the disease increased or decreased among the women.—In the majority
of cases the disease was not of a virulent type, and several women were admitted by me
for slight ailments in view of checking the disease, both among themselves and among
the Europeans. As a precautionary measure, I am satisfied that this was attended with
beneficial results, and protected many men who would probably otherwise have con-
tracted venereal. The large number of admissions must not therefore be taken as
indicating any alarming increase in the disease among the prostitutes generally.

      11. Dhais.—No dhais have been employed.

      12. Suggestions with information.—Notwithstanding the numbers who have been
treated during the year, I am satisfied that the lock-hospital has been the means of
limiting and checking the spread of venereal, not only among the prostitutes, but among
the European soldiers. I have no suggestions to make.

C. C. DEMPSTER, SURGEON-MAJOR, A.M.D.,              
In medical charge of Lock-Hospital.

Benares, the 1st January, 1878.

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