IP/30/HG.4.

EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

WORKING OF THE LOCK HOSPITALS

IN THE

NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES AND OUDH,
For the year 1881.

PRELIMINARY NOTES.

   I.—Paras. 1 to 90 of this report contain a summary of results and remarks
recorded in the annual reports aud papers submitted to Government by the local
authorities concerned with the management of the lock hospital scheme. The hospitals
are arranged in the order of their importance as first, second, or third class.

   II.—Paras. 91 to 110 contain a record of general results, and the opinions and
remarks of the reporting officer, founded in all cases upon evidence plainly discernible in
the reports and papers, and always supported by reference to that evidence.

   III.—Para. 111 contains a record of the points in these reports and papers which
require the especial attention of Government.

   IV.—The report concludes with four tables, into which has been gathered all the
available statistical information on the subject in simplest possible form.

1.—ALLAHABAD.

   DURING the year 1881, a monthly average of 137 women remained on the
register, against 159 in 1880.

   The results of the management have been unsatisfactory. For the eight years
1874-81, the ratios of admissions to hospital for venereal disease, amongst the
European garrison, have been 290, 244, 177, 185, 354, 241, 215 and 240 per 1,000
of average daily strength.

   2. The Medical Officer reports that the lock hospital is inconveniently situ-
ated in the civil station, about 2½ miles from the new cantonments. The hospital
accommodation is insufficient for the average number of patients admitted. Three
patients are, as a rule, being accommodated in space originally provided for two only

   There was a slight increase of disease amongst the women in 1881 as compared
with 1880, but no severe cases of disease appeared amongst them.

   Amongst the soldiers also, a slight increase of disease was observed. The Medi-
cal Officer thinks this may be due to the fact that a considerable decrease, in the
number of women registered, occurred during the year.

   Very little disease is contracted by the soldiers from the registered women.
The register was kept by the Cantonment Magistrate, and 25 women were brought
on to the register, against 59 who removed their names. The number of registered
women is small in proportion to the number of unregistered prostitutes from whom
nearly all the soldier's disease comes. And the Medical Officer complains that the
police too readily permit a woman to remove her name from the register, and are not
sufficiently alert in compelling well-known prostitutes to register themselves.

   The Cantonment Sub-Committee assembled once a month throughout the year.
The registered women were examined weekly. The Hospital Assistant, Hira Lal,
knows his work well, performs it most efficiently, and keeps the hospital in satisfac-
tory condition.

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