( 19 )

Table for comparing the relative prevalence of venereal disease among the troops in Garrison,
Civil, Pauper, and Criminal population (as shewn by the Dispensary and Jail returns) and
registered prostitutes:—

        Nothing approaching virulence has been observed in the maladies which have been under
treatment, and what is still further pleasing is the marked diminution of that evil com-
plaint primary syphilis. One patient was received into hospital for a non-venereal affection;
but this was an error, and only contagious disorders resulting from sexual intercourse are
ordinarily admitted. The prostitutes are not detained during their monthly illnesses, and
on this account they have sometimes, when diseased, been known to attempt deception by
smearing their genitals with blood. Although this infantile trickery and disgustfulness is
seldom practised, I nevertheless think it is a good plan to examine superficially all men-
struating women on the day of periodical examination, and make them attend for a most
satisfactory inspection when the flux has ceased, for to expect Burmese prostitutes to enter
the hospital without compulsion is quite opposed to my experience.

     In the Bassein Lock Hospital Report for 1875 I pointed out that it would be advan-
tageous, for purposes of comparison, if there existed some uniform classification for prosti-
tutes' venereal disorders, and the then Deputy Surgeon-General, in his review of the report,
recorded that my remarks on the subject were just.

     I would still advocate the introduction of some authorized and simple system, for, at
present, no useful comparison of the relative frequency of different venereal diseases can be
attempted, so diverse is the adopted nomenclature.

XI.—How far dhaies are employed, and with what results.

    The work of discovering any illicit cohabition rests entirely with the Town Police; and
that they have this year reported an unusually large number of prostitutes who were con-
cealing their calling shews that they have not been inactive.

    No dhaies are employed.

XII.—Any information on other matters, or suggestions for improvement of the rules.

    I have already remarked on my surprise on the comparative infrequency of the regis-
tration of those Madrasee women who have been publicly known to prostitute themselves,
and I hope it may strike the readers of this report that a necessity for the compulsory
registration exists of all who shall henceforward be convicted of illegal intercourse, for this
is a measure I would strongly advocate. Not only should they be placed on the register
and be compelled to attend the periodical examinations with the utmost stringency, but
any desire that they might subsequently express for the erasure of their names should not
be yielded to readily. I would require of them to remain on the register of prostitutes for
three months from the date of conviction of unlawful coition, and not until the expiry of
that term should they be permitted to seek for escape from the weekly inspections; and
then, too, the Magistrate, before removing their names from the register, should, I think, in
each case ask the Medical Officer in charge of the hospital to state his opinion whether the
women in question have ceased to prostitute themselves or not. I have represented these
views to the Cantonment Magistrate.