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   84. Further, the file is increased by a letter addressed to the Surgeon-General,
North- Western Provinces and Oudh, by the Medical Officer, under date the 26th March,
1882. This letter reports, for earnest and earliest consideration, the disgraceful over-
crowding existent in the lock hospital, and its entire unsuitability for its intended
purpose. At date of writing the hospital contained 20 patients (some having
young children) locked in a room 33 x 9 or 10 feet, without sufficient light, or air.
The conservancy-accommodation imperfectly provided in a small attached room,
18 x 9 feet. Stench and dirt beyond description result from this overcrowding. This
state of affairs has been frequently reported, and still the matter of improvement is in
abeyance.

   The Medical Officer points out that until 1874 the lock hospital at Chakráta
was of the 2nd class, in charge of a Medical Officer at Rs. 50 per mensem. It was
then reduced to the position of 3rd class in charge of a medical subordinate at Rs.
20 per mensem. On the 7th August, 1881, the General Commanding the Division
directed the Staff Surgeon to take over charge, on account of the great increase
of venereal disease reported by the Deputy Surgeon-General. But at the same time no
steps were taken to ensure a return of the hospital to the 2nd grade, with increased
charge pay. As a result, from the date in question, the Medical Officer has received
only Rs. 20 per mensem for the charge, and has not enjoyed the assistance of an
Hospital Assistant—help allowed in a 2nd grade hospital. As an absolutely necessary
measure, the Hospital assistant of the dispensary has been ordered to perform the
duties of Hospital Assistant at the lock hospital.

   The Medical Officer desires to represent the necessity of returning the Chakráta
lock hospital to the list of 2nd class hospitals, and the urgent necessity for the
building of a new lock hospital on the " Murree " or other suitable place.

   85. The Surgeon-General, North-Western Provnices, transfers the letter to the
Sanitary Commissioner, North-Western Provinces, for disposal.

18.—FATEHGARH.

   86. During the year 1881 a monthly average of 23 women remained on the
register, against 27 in 1880.

   The results of the management have been satisfactory. The hospital was estab-
lished in 1880. In that year the ratio of admissions to hospital for venereal disease
amongst the European garrison was 617 per 1,000 of daily average strength. In 1881
the ratio was—

   87. The Medical Officer reports favourably as regards the hospital accommoda-
tion. A subsistence allowance of two annas a day, to a woman in hospital, has been
found sufficient. The examinations were held weekly and in some instances bi-weekly.
In all, 188 cases of absence were reported to the Joint Magistrate. A total of 55 cases
of disease were discovered amongst the women.

   Amongst the soldiers there were 54 cases in 1881, for comparison with 127 cases
in 1880. Disease chiefly prevailed in April, but in the latter part of the year the
soldiers were almost free from disease.

   The sudder bazaar was placed out of bounds to the soldiers, who, however, are
believed to have gone there by stealth. They accused the registered women of causing
disease, but in no instance was the woman, pointed out, found diseased, after careful
examination. The establishment of a suitable place of residence for the registered
women was proposed during the year, but has not yet been provided. The chief
cause of the soldiers' disease is their consort with unregistered women, who prowl
about the lines or live in the sudder bazaar.

   88. The Officer Commanding thinks the working on the whole satisfactory. If
the unregistered prostitutes of the sudder bazaar could be brought on to the register,
the chief defect of the system would be remedied.

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