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paper tickets now given to the registered women, which soon become soiled and use-
less, the Medical Officer recommends the issue of small cards secured and protected in
leathern bags—a plan formerly introduced into the Barrackpore lock hospital.
57. The Cantonment Magistrate thinks it pleasant to be able to report improve-
ment in regard to disease prevalence—as witnessed to, at Ránikhet, by a fall from the
ratio of 403 in 1882, to 191 in 1883—a very satisfactory circumstance, as happen-
ing at a place where temptation, and opportunities for the contraction of disease, are
unusually great. The causes of the improvement in 1883 cannot be very clearly
defined. Possibly, extra vigilance on the part of the police may account for some
portion of it. The native police arrested 8 women offenders, all of whom, as usual,
were found diseased. Also the weak state of health of the men of one regiment of the
garrison, which had many men in hospital, may have hindered venereal prevalence.
If more stringent measures against illicit prostitution are necessary, they must be
enforced by the Military authorities, to the hindrance of the soldier's access to unregis-
tered women.
During the year, it was proposed to provide the registered women with free
quarters. But at Ránikhet such gift would be useless, in the direction of inducing
the registration of a better class of women. For in the hills only women of the low,
mean, Dome caste, will consort with Europeans. Further, it is not advisable to sacri-
fice cantonment funds for this purpose, as the ultimate fate of the temporary barracks
at Chaubattia is uncertain. And the records of the last year's management show, that
the grant of free quarters to the women is not essential to a decrease of disease.
58. The Commissioner is of opinion that the better result can only have been
due to better regimental arrangements, and from the troops having been otherwise
sickly.
12.—SITAPUR.
59. During the year 1883, a monthly average of 50 women remained on the
register, against 54 in 1882.
The results of the management have been satisfactory. For the nine years,
1875-83, the ratios of admissions to hospital for venereal disease amongst the European
garrison have been, 274, 299, 249, 333, 221, —, 408, 150 and 210 per 1,000 of daily
average strength. In 1880 the lock hospital was closed.
60. The Medical Officer reports that the hospital accommodation is convenient
and sufficient. There was rather more disease amongst the registered women in
1883, than in 1882.
Amongst the soldiers also there was a slight increase of disease in 1883. But
there were only 15 cases of syphilis in all, and 2 cases of secondary disease.
A regiment passing through the station, in November, left 5 cases of venereal
disease in hospital, and in that month also there was a large increase of disease
amongst the registered women. Disease contracted, without doubt, from men of the
passing regiment. But, the most fruitful source of disease resides in the large num-
ber of unregistered women, who solicit the soldier in the vicinity of the barracks. The
police give no help towards catching these women. The Medical Officer addressed
the Station Staff Officer on this subject, and 18 unregistered women were caught and
ordered to appear at the lock hospital. But only 9 came, of whom 4 were found
diseased.
The examinations of the registered women were effected weekly and the dhai ex-
amines them frequently at their homes. Disease amongst these women was of a trifling
character. Their attendance for examination was very regular. The sub-committee
assembled monthly at the lock hospital. The registered women live in the bazars.
As a rule they are clean and well dressed, and basins are provided in their rooms.