( 26 )

maintained. That is not my opinion by any means. Rather I believe that the
Rs. 31,768 expended for it in 1880, only Rs. 11,968 of which was charged to Go-
vernment, was the best applied sum of money expended in all the year throughout the
empire. The returns prove that 50,128 carefully performed medical inspections were
effected; 204 suffering women supported in hospital ; 2,930 cases of disease cured, of
which 1,884 were contagious in character; and 964 women controlled and in consider-
able measure cared for and advised by medical talent generally of a high order.
How much of common suffering and pain was thus prevented it is impossible to
say, but of certainty the measure was considerable.

      106. That the full measure of benefit possible to him was not realized by the
soldier has not been owing to bad hospital management. Without doubt the soldiers
have contracted disease from the registered women, but never to any very marked
extent, as the reports from all stations show. An undoubted source of good to the
soldier has arisen from the necessity which arises under the action of the scheme of
bringing to light at once any excessive prevalence of disease amongst them.

      Then steps have been taken to mitigate the prevalence.

      On this point, from Cawnpore it is reported (para. 7) :—"By punishment, by
inspections of the soldiers, by increased vigilance of the police, the disease quickly abated."

      From Meerut (para. 18):—" Regiments have been ordered to employ extra regi-
mental guards to detect women lurking near the barracks."

      From Lucknow (para. 23): —"By reason of active preventive measures adopted
by the authorities venereal disease had, however, almost disappeared from this regiment
by the end of the year."

      From Moradabad (para. 44):—" As a special preventive measure—six detectives —
were employed. They arrested several diseased unregistered women found consorting
with soldiers."

      From Ránikliet (para. 55):— At the close of the year prevalence of disease amongst
the men increased ; measures were taken to combat this prevalence and with good
results."

      107. From these extracts—and others, though less clear, might be quoted—it may
be noticed that a pretty frequent custom prevails of waiting for the establishment of
efficient preventive measures until the prevalence of disease has manifested itself
amongst the soldiers. And generally with good results—results thankfully acknow-
ledged without doubt by the Lock Hospital authorities. But what the system re-
quires for its perfection is, not a prevention of further disease after it has become
excessive, but a prevention which will hinder the establishment of that excess at all.

      The extracts show that the Military authorities know how to check excess when
it has been established. I would plead for the permanent existence of that check
in some form of standing station order which cannot be changed as the regiments
changed their locality. Without doubt, the Military authorities, long resident in a
station, know well the especial requirements there, and act accordingly. As things
now are, a new-coming authority has gradually acquired the same knowledge. In the
meanwhile the soldiers live without check, to the great detriment of the Lock Hospital
system.

      108. As regards the management of the women only one really important
change seems called for, and that only in a few stations. It is essential that the
registered women should be made to reside in one locality, which should be liable to
inspection by the Medical Officer. The situation should be well chosen for the pur-
pose in hand, the huts suitablly screened, and the necessary means for effectual
ablution should be provided in every hut for the soldier's use ; a notice inculcating
that practice being pasted on the wall of every room.

      So long as the women live scattered as they now do at Agra, Benares, Morad-
abad, Fatehgarh and probably other places, no good result should be expected there.