( 18 )
The Medical Officer's report that 24 unregistered women were arrested is incor
rect. Only one was arrested and sentenced to imprisonment, and she was not regis
tered after release.
62. The Deputy Commissioner of the district remarks, that the ratio of disease
amongst the soldiers fell to an extraordinary extent in 1882, as compared with 1881.
Notwithstanding an increase of garrison, the demand for the services of registered
women decreased, and their numbers lessened monthly, until at the end of the year
they were fewer by one-third than at the beginning. Upon this point the Cantonment
Magistrate reports as above. It is of course impossible to prevent the departure of
women without notice, and it seems unnecessary to trace them out.
As touching upon the point of the possible advantage of registering only attrac-
tive women, the Deputy Commissioner remarks, that during the year of report a
registered woman, on account of age and ailments other than venereal, was removed
from the register. But to her prostitution meant livelihood, and she refused to leave
cantonments. To deal with such cases it seems necessary that, after report from the
Medical Officer, and revoking of the license, the Cantonment Magistrate should com-
pel the women to leave cantonments.
The results show a vastly improved management in 1882.
63. The Commissioner notes the very satisfactory results. Not only was disease
less, but its type was milder. The ratio of disease amongst the registered women
seems high, and points to the conclusion that they are too few. And the Commissioner
observes that, whereas the return records the registration of only 24 new women, the
Cantonment Magistrate puts the number at 32. The discrepancy will be inquired
into.
13.ROORKEE.
64. During the year 1882 a monthly average of 28 women remained on the
register, against 34 in 1881.
The results of the management have been very unsatisfactory. For the nine
years, 1874-82, the ratios of admissions to hospital for venereal disease, amongst the
European garrison, have been 198, 146, 124, 66, 262, 132, 178, 177, and 307 per
1,000 of daily average strength.
65. The Medical Officer reports that a new lock hospital building has been
sanctioned ; plan, estimate, and site settled. But, during the year of report, the old
hospital was occupied at a rental of Rs. 8 per mensem.
The registered women were examined twice a week during the early part of the
year afterwards only once. No disease could escape detection, and all cases of
disease were effectually cured in hospital. Several of the women were accused of
having caused disease, but not in a single instance did the result of examination
uphold the accusation. The soldiers, without doubt, contracted their diseases from
unregistered coolie women outside the station. As an especial measure of protection,
a registered woman visited by a soldier is examined by the matron before consort is
permitted. If found healthy the woman's ticket is shown to the soldier. If found
unhealthy the ticket is withheld, and the soldier warned against the possible con-
sequence of consort. There were only 28 registered women in 1882, against 34 in
1881 An additional matron was employed during the year. A total of 84 cases of
disease occurred amongst the women, 64 of which were venereal. The usual
of management was carefully carried out ; the hospital was carefully guarded, so that
no woman could leave it without permission.
Since the report was written orders have been received, from Government, for-
bidding the construction of the proposed new hospital.