( 79 )

LUCKNOW.

No. 92D., dated Lucknow, the 26th March, 1878.

From—COLONEL JAMES REID, Commissioner, Lucknow, Division.

To—Sanitary Commissioner, North-Western Provinces.

   SIR,—I have the honour to forward the report of Dr. Fairland in charge (with
accompaniments) on the working of the Lucknow Cantonment Lock-hospital for 1877.

   2. Para. 2 refers to the extent of venereal disease among the European troops,
and shows a marked decrease in the admissions, the percentage being only 15.2 against
25.7 of the previous year ; and if regard be had to the type of disease, the improvement
is even greater than these figures indicate, the proportion of primary syphilis (vide para
37) being 58 in 1877 to 104 in 1876.

   3. The statement appended shows, as in former years, remarkable variations in
different regiments. The 8-11th Royal Artillery is in the Machi Bhawun fort, and
its conditions are exceptional as set forth in the report; but this is not the case with the
others, and yet no explanation is given why the ratio of admissions per 1,000 should be
55 in the 13th Hussars and 205 in the, Royal Horse Artillery, or 115 in one infantry
regiment and 191 in another. I retain the opinion I have expressed on former occa-
sions, that these variations arose from causes peculiar to these corps, and that where
disease is unusually prevalent, there is something defective in regimental arrangements
calling for reform by the military authorities. This is the view taken by the Govern-
ment of India (vide para. 3 of extract Proceedings, Home Department, No. 357, dated
21st December last). The point is one of the utmost importance, and cannot be too
frequently and prominently brought forward. I think that wherever the rate of admis-
sions is abnormally high, commanding and medical officers should be asked to account
for the excess.

   4. As in the previous year, a special detective police force was maintained to
patrol the roads and control unregistered women, and a special soldier police fo rce was
employed in each regiment for the same purpose. The further measures adopted were :
(1) unceasing vigilance in watching increases of admissions and taking immediate steps
to ascertain the cause and apply a remedy ; (2) medical inspection of all detachments on
arrival for the purpose of ascertaining the existence or otherwise of disease ; (3) punish-
ment of all cases of concealment of disease. The satisfactory diminution of disease is, I
believe, almost entirely attributable to the vigour with which these measures have
been enforced by Lieutenant-General Chamberlain and to the continued exertions of
Dr. Fairland, whose practical experience and great attention render his services in the
mitigation of disease of special value.

   5. A great deal has been said in these papers on the bad effects of the closing
of the city lock-hospital and the desirability of re-opening it. Dr. Fairland in his
para. 52 gives a statement of admissions among the troops quartered in the Machi
Bhawun, showing a deplorable amount of sickness. I am unable to comprehend the
statistics here given : 1873 was an exceptionally healthy year, yet the ratio of admissions
in Machi Bhawun was 207 per mille, while in 1874 it was only 77, and in 1875, 104.
At the same time I think that Dr. Fairland makes out a strong case, and that there
seems good reason for believing that the abolition of the city lock-hospital has led to
a marked increase of disease among the European artillery in the fort ; but the protec-
tion from venereal of 83 European soldiers, however desirable, is obviously quite an
insufficient reason for re-establishing a lock-hospital in a city with nearly 300,000
inhabitants. The proper remedy is to withdraw the artillery as soon as practicable
from a position which is now, I believe, generally admitted to be unsuitable.

   6. As regards the troops generally, I have remarked in former reports on the
effect of the vicinity of such a large city as Lucknow to cantonments. Nothing like
general registration of prostitutes was ever attempted. I concur with the City Magis-
trate that the registration of prostitutes attending the city lock-hospital was of little
use to the general population, and I do not think that it has been proved that its

21