( 92 )

to the fact that all the 94 cases occurring in the 6th Regiment Bengal Light Infantry
are said to have been contracted in Aminabad, a populous suburb of Lucknow much
frequented by the European troops.

      64. Alteration in the venereal returns.—I must again take the opportunity of
bringing into prominent notice the necessity which exists for the separation in the
venereal returns of the cases of primary syphilis and local venereal sore.

      As I have before observed, these returns are nothing if they are not correct; and I
unhesitatingly assert that, as they are now compiled, they certainly do not show
disease with that scientific accuracy which alone can make the returns reliable as true
registers.

      65. Primary syphilis is a serious disease, local venereal sore is not ; the large
majority of admissions arise from the latter. Why not, then, enable us to show correctly
the real nature of the disease from which the troops are suffering, and thereby freeing
the minds of the authorities from the grave anxiety that a serious disease is spreading
amongst us ?

      66. I am quite aware that very many cases constantly occur where the diagnosis
is difficult and an exact determination of the nature of the lesion not possible, but
this is not so in the large majority of the cases ; therefore, an opportunity should be
offered to the medical officers to record their cases in accordance with the most
recently expressed views on this subject, and thus render the returns more satisfactory
as true indices of the prevalence of venereal diseases.

      67. Unregistered women.—Of course during the year we have suffered from the
old plague of unregistered women frequenting cantonments, Kanjar women, field
labourers, &c., &c., and again the European and Eurasian women dwelling on the out-
skirts of cantonments have been a fruitful source of trouble. Efforts are constantly
made for the suppression of these causes of evil, but the task is a most difficult, one,
and much remains to be done.

      68. Conclusion.—In conclusion I would respectfully urge attention to the two
principal points alluded to in the report, viz., the advisability of re-establishing the city
lock-hospital, and the necessity for a revision of the venereal returns, in order that
the diseases shown therein may be properly subdivided under their appropriate heads.

E. FAIRLAND,               

Staff Surgeon.        

Lucknow, she 1st February, 1878.

Annual Statement. No. I. of the lock-hospital at Lucknow Cantonments for the year 1877.