LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY.

31

      Efficiency of registration—Registration has appeared to diminish the spread, and to
mitigate the severity of venereal diseases, as notwithstanding the influx of a large number of
fearfully diseased prostitutes into the Cantonment limits, there has been no corresponding
increase in venereal diseases amongst the European troops. On the contrary, there has been
a slight decrease in the total number of admissions for venereal diseases, although there has
been a slight increase in the admissions for primary syphilis. The number of prostitutes
registered during the past year was 33, whilst for the years 1877, 1876, 1875, 1874, 1873, 1872,
the numbers were, respectively, 43, 22, 27, 13, 40, so that last year the number of registrations
was 10 less than during the preceding year of 1877.

      Of the total number of 334 cases treated during this period 48 came to the hospital
voluntarily, and of these 24 were registered before leaving.

      Ten women were removed from the list on the recommendation of the Medical Officer
on account of their being in a thoroughly broken-down state of health, and quite unfitted for
further prostitution.

      Fees.— No registration fees have been levied.

      Attendance.— The attendance of the women has not been so regular latterly as could have
been wished, though special representations on this subject have been made to the Cantonment
Magistrate. The causes of these recent irregularities in attendance are unknown. The usual
punishments for non-attendance are rigorous imprisonment for 7 days and 4-anna fines. The
total amount collected from fines during the past year was Rupees 2-12-0.

      Arrangements for examining.—The Police bring any suspected women to the hospital
where they are examined and treated if necessary.

      Extent of diseases.—The cases admitted to hospital during the past year have, for the most
part, been of a mild type and readily amenable to treatment ; but a few shocking cases in
which the ravages of disease had been promoted by famine and filth, were brought in from the
relief-camps and outlying villages.

      Dhaies.—Dhaies have not been employed.

      Conclusion.— As at present the Police are the immediate agents by which women are
brought to the Lock Hospital and taken before the Cantonment Magistrate for registration,
it is interesting to note that during the past year the total admissions of policemen belonging
to the Cantonment into hospital for local venereal diseases was 35, whilst the total admissions of
the sepoys of the 6th Regiment M.N.I. for the same causes during the same period was only 9.

      The average strength of the Police was. 917, that of the 6th Regiment M.N.I. being
650, so that amongst the Police the admissions for venereal diseases were 3.8 per cent. of
strength, whilst amongst the sepoys the admissions were only 1.4 per cent.

      From this it appears that the Police are unfit to be trusted with the important duty of
bringing up women for registration.

Extract from the Annual Report of the Lock Hospital, Wellington, by Surgeon
Major R. W. CLIFTON, A.M.D.

      The extent to which venereal disease has prevailed among the European troops is shown
by the annexed form.

      The return of sickness among the soldiers has been received once a week regularly.

Statement showing the extent of various forms of Venereal Diseases among the European Troops in the
Cantonment of Wellington, during the Year 1878.