PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference:
TLC.O. 882
יזיין
6
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
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11. Has venereal disease increased in Singapore during the last ten years, in extent and virulence?
Amongst the admissions to this hospital, yes.
12. Is it still increasing, and, if so, can you give any figures in support of your opinion?
The last few years the yearly increase has apparently ceased, judging by the ad- missions to this hospital. The admissions into this asylum, showing undoubted signs of present or past syphilis, were:-
1890 1891 1892
•
4 per cent. 6.50 per cent. 18 per cent.
1892 to 1897 varying from 13.50 to 18 per cent. Of course, there is no doubt that the insanity in many of these cases was due to other causes than syphilis. In 1896, 3.47 of the admissions were suffering from insanity due to syphilis, the ratio in England for the five years ending 1896 was 1 per cent. for males, and .6 for females.
In 1897 our rate was about the same as in 1896.
13. Had you any experience of the working of the Contagious Diseases Acts in Singapore?
No, it was repealed shortly before my arrival in Singapore.
15. What, in your opinion, has been the effect of the repeal of the C.D. Act? An increase of venereal disease, both in numbers and severity.
FURTHER QUESTIONS put to Dr. W. G. ELLIS, in his capacity as Police Surgeon, by Lieutenant-Colonel PENNEFATHER, with Answers.
1. How long have you been acting as Police Surgeon? Since 1st May, 1897.
2. Do many of the recruits offering themselves show signs of hereditary venereal disease?
I only remember two instances.
3. Do many of the recruits offering themselves show traces of venereal disease
other than hereditary?
Frequently enlarged glands, scars on penis, gummatous scars, bubonic scars. These men are always refused.
4. What kind of venereal disease is most prevalent amongst the police? Syphilis and gonorrhoea in about equal proportions. I have not seen many soft chancres.
5. Have you many cases of secondary and tertiary syphilis ?
During the year from May 1st, 1897, to May 1st, 1898, I have seen five cases secondary syphilis, mostly iritis, eight cases tertiary syphilis, 29 cases primary syphilis, 34 cases gonorrhoea, and six cases gonorrhoeal rheumatism. The large majority of the cases of primary syphilis and gonorrhoea was amongst the recruits.
6. Have you known any cases in which men have had to be discharged from the force on account of venereal disease?
A few cases in which venereal disease has been the indirect cause-chronic rheu- matism, syphilitic cachexia, general debility, paraplegia.
7. Do many of the patients who attend from other causes show signs of venereal disease?
rarely examine, but if I do there are generally scars present.
8. Are you of opinion that venereal disease is on the increase amongst the police?
I have not yet had sufficient experience of the police to answer this question.
9. Can you say whether it has any special effect on Malays?
No.
10. If venereal disease is on the increase, is the increase amongst the more serious
forms or amongst the lighter forms?
Answer as in No. 8.
11. Have you any experience of venereal disease in other settlements?
No.
12.
Do you know whether the native Malay population of this or other settle- ments is largely affected by venereal disease?
I have had no experience.
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G.
QUESTIONS put to Dr. GALLOWAY, with his Answers.
1. You were in Singapore some years before the repeal of the C.D. Ordinance! Four years.
2. You do a large practice among the native community? About two-fifths of my practice is native.
3. Do you see many cases of venereal disease among natives?
Yes, chiefly among (1) migratory Chinese, (2) indigenous Chinese, (3) Bengalis and
other Indians; and, least of all, if at all, among Arabs.
4. With what forms of disease do you most commonly meet?
About equally with the local and constitutional forms.
5. Much secondary syphilis?
Speaking of the term of, say, ten years from date of acquisition as secondary syphi-
lis, I have always several hundred cases under treatment,
6. Do you think venereal disease is increasing in Singapore?
At the present moment, probably not, as it is impossible to re-acquire constitu- tional disease within ten years. Local disease is probably in statu quo.
7. Have you any opinion as to any connection of increase (if any) with repeal of the C.D.O. based on your experience before and after the repeal?
I consider that during the first five years of the repeal, venereal diseases increased enormously. A study of the birth-rate per mille among the races mentioned might give much information.
8. Can you give an opinion as to prevalence of disease among any particular class or nationality of women?
With the prostitute class I have nothing to do. With other classes I must de- cline to answer, further than that it is very prevalent at present, while being very rare before 1888.
H.
MINUTE by the PROTECTOR OF CHINESE on Brothels in Singapore.
Chinese brothels in Singapore are divided into: (a) Public brothels (formerly registered" under C.D.O.), about 200 in number, containing about 3,000 prostitutes (all Cantonese); (b) Private brothels (or "unregistered" under C.D.O.), about 150 in number, containing about 600 prostitutes (chiefly Tiechiu).
In (a) prostitutes are divided into:-
(1) Kongehu" (lit. "princesses "). These are the daughters, real or pur- chased, of the brothel-keeper. They are absolutely her property to use or dispose of.
(2) "Pongnin" (lit. "assist for term of years"). These have been purchased by the brothel-keeper, or other women, and are bound to prostitute themselves for a term of years (about six) for the benefit of their purchaser. If the purchaser is an honourable woman (1) they are free at the end of the fixed It frequently happens that towards the end they are sold for another term to a new purchaser.
term.
(3) "Tap tang" (lit. "sharing the lamp "). These girls rent rooms in brothels, paying the brothel-keeper half their earnings. The other half may go to themselves if they are 'free girls," or to the "pocket mother" if, as fre- quently happens, they belong to some old woman.
In (b) prostitutes are divided into:--
(1) The property of " pocket mother ";
(2) Kept women;
(3) Married women (in absence of husband).
NOTE (a) (3).-"Sharing the lamp" or "lodgers with the lamp
" refers to the big lamp in the
front hall of the brothel under which all the prostitutes sit waiting for customers.
NOTE (b) (1). Are generally younger than is suitable. NOTE (a) (1), (a) (2), and (b)'(1) have absolutely no voice in the disposal of their lives. They form the large majority of the total number.
"Pocket-mother" means purchaser; generally during the infancy of the girl. Most women connected with brothels have one or more young girls in their possession. These young girls will in due course swell the ranks of the prostitutes.