MILITARY LOCK HOSPITALS, MADRAS PRESIDENCY

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   These figures show not only the difference in the amount of venereal diseases at
the several stations, but also the extent to which this varies at the same station in
different years. One favorable result brought out by the statement is, that at all
the stations there was less venereal disease in 1881 than in the previous year.
Bangalore and Bellary are acquiring a bad pre-eminence as regards venereal
complaints. In 1879 Bangalore had the highest admission rate of any station in
the command, While in 1880 it stood third on the list, and in 1881 it was second.
As regards Bellary it was second on the list in 1879, and in each of the two past
years its admission rate has been considerably in excess of that of any other station.
Whether the excessive amount of disability from venereal diseases at these two
stations be due to an unusual prevalence of these amongst the local civil population,
or to exceptional facilities for clandestine prostitution, or to both causes combined,
it is impossible to say. The efficiency or otherwise of registration does not appear
to have any uniform effect on the prevalence of venereal disease. Thus, at all the
stations, except Secunderabad, there were fewer names on the roll in 1881 than in
1880, and therefore, presumably, more diseased women at large, and yet the fore-
going figures show that venereal disease declined. In fact, this is only what might
be expected, seeing that the Contagious Diseases Act does not in any town practically
reach more than a small fraction of the women actually amenable to its rules.
Table C in Appendix shows the nature of the venereal complaints from which
European troops suffered in 1881, while further information as to the stational
prevalence of these diseases, during each of the past ten years, is given in Table F.
Tables G and H are also submitted as usual, showing the comparative prevalence
of venereal diseases at stations at which Lock Hospitals were in operation, and in
those at which such institutions did not exist.

   9. Cost of Lock Hospital Patients.—The average cost per patient treated was
Rs. 11–8–0 against Rs. 11–2–8 in 1880 and Rs. 14–3–1 in 1879. The average rate
per patient was highest at Kamptee, and the excess was chiefly due to the pay of
establishment which, out of a total cost of Rs. 3,035, amounted to Rs. 2,175. To meet
these charges the cantonment fund at Kamptee contributed Rs. 1,327. The very
low average cost at Secunderabad was partly due to the circumstance, that medical
attendance, except in the case of the subordinate, is provided free of charge. The
following abstract shows the average rate per patient at each station, and further
information will be found in Tables D, I, and J of Appendix :—

   With the exception of the contribution already referred to at Kamptee, the
whole of the other charges connected with Lock Hospitals were met by Government.
The following remarks give the chief facts connected with the working of each
Lock Hospital.

   10. Bangalore.—There was a decline in the number of women registered in
this cantonment, the average on the roll having been 91.33 against 100.82 in 1880.
This result is attributed by the Medical Officer in charge of the Lock Hospital to a
reduction of the Police detective agency. The daily average of sick women in
hospital was 45.60 against 37.63 in 1880, and their diseases for the most part proved
readily amenable to treatment. Of 648 admissions, 95, or 146.60 per mille, were
for primary syphilis, and 330, or 509.26 per mille, for gonorrhœa.

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