1897.
1896.
1895.
1884.
fable showing Statistics of Venereal Disease among the troops in Hongkong and the Straits Settlements combined, in 1884, during the prevalence of the C. D. Ordinances.*
Primary Syphilis. Secondary Syphilis. Gonorrhoea. Sequel of Gonorrhos. Total 62 46 154 26 288* See Army Medical Report for 1884, p. 188
Primary Syphilis. Secondary Syphilis. Gonorrhoea. Total Admissions Ratio of Admissions per 1000 of strength 81.2 28.2 77.5 19.1 145 Constantly sick per 1000 of strength 2.92 1.68 5.15 1.04 10.79Tables showing Statistics of Hongkong and the Straits separately in 1895, eight years after the repeal of the Ordinances, (v. Army Medical Report. pp. 200-3.)
HONGKONG Primary Syphilis. Secondary Syphilis. Gonorrhoea. Total Admissions 67 96 292 455 Ratio of Admissions per 1000 44.2 63.4 192.7 300.8 Average constantly sick 5.98 6.54 22.50 34.97 Constantly sick per 1000 3.91 4.32 14.85 THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. Primary Syphilis. Secondary Syphilis. Gonorrhoea. Total Admissions. 330 190 287 807 Ratio of Admissions per 1000 241.2 138.9 209.8 589.9 Average constantly sick 28.82 14.49 16.05 Constantly sick per 1000 21.07 10.59 11.73 43.39Table for 1896 (v. Army Medical Report, p. 252.)
HONGKONG Primary Syphilis. Secondary Syphilis. Gonorrhoea. Total Admissions 96 156 277 529 Ratio of Admissions per 1000 62.3 106.1 188.4 359.8 Average constantly sick 6.51 8.32 12.18 26.01 Constantly sick per 1000 8.10 12.28 17.91 38.24 THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. Primary Syphilis. Secondary Syphilis. Gonorrhoea. Total Admissions 227 181 240 648 Ratio of Admissions per 1000 167.9 133.9 177.5 479.8 Average constantly sick 14.87 14.15 11.97 40.19 Constantly sick per 1000 19.43 19.14 16.18 54.75Table for 1897 (v. Army Medical Report, pp. 278-80).
HONGKONG. Primary Syphilis. Secondary Syphilis. Gonorrhoea. Total Admissions 121 146 411 700 Ratio of Admissions per 1000 85.4 108.0 290.1 494.1 Average constantly sick 12.40 15.80 11.09 38.85 Constantly sick per 1000 9.17 11.36 8.20 28.73 THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. Primary Syphilis. Secondary Syphilis. Gonorrhoea. Total Admissions 117 154 340 Ratio of Admissions per 1000 86.5 113.9 308.4 Average constantly sick 12.18 7.20 23.49 42.96 Constantly sick per 1000 7.20Even these figures fail to show the actual rapidity of increase, or the full extent development of the evil, for the reason that simple venereal ulcers--which were officially included in the classification of "Primary Syphilis" in 1884-are not so comprised in 1895-6-7.
Cases of that class which occurred in those years must, therefore, obviously be added for purposes both of comparison and accuracy; and the effect is to raise the ratio of admission from 145 per 1000 in 1884-when the ordinances were in operation--progressively to 103 per 1000 in 1895, 592 per 1000 in 1896, and the appalling total of 668 per 1000 in 1897, within ten years after their repeal.
The situation is summed up in the Army Medical Report for 1897 in the following terms :-
There were 168 admissions for primary syphilis or a ratio of 118.6 per 1,000, as compared with 65.3 in the previous year, and with 41.4 the average rate. If to this be added the sickness from soft chancre, for which there were 217 admissions and 18.31 men constantly sick, the total admission ratio for primary venereal sores equalled 992.9 per 1,000, which is higher than in 1896 by 84.8, and than the decennial average rate by 136.3. Secondary syphilis, with 121 admissions, gave a ratio of 85.4 per 1,000, which is below the previous year's rate by 20.7, but above the average rate by 31.9. For gonorrhoea there were 411 admissions, or a ratio of 290.1 per 1,000, which is higher than in the previous year by 101.7, and than the average rate by 145.5. Including all forms, the total admission rate for venereal diseases was 668.4 per 1,000, which is higher than in 1896 by 165.8, and than the average ratio for the preceding ten years by as much as 318.7. The total amount of constant inefficiency from these diseases was equal to 55.88 per 1,000, or 17.38 above the rate for the previous year and 29.25 above the average rate.
The Principal Medical Officer adds that the statistics of the past two years indicate a persistent and rapid increase in venereal disease, both in the number of cases and in the rate of constant inefficiency from these causes, which, if it continues, will probably necessitate a permanent increase in the hospital establishment at Hong Kong.
More serious, perhaps, even than the numerical multiplication of cases--more serious with regard to the future of the men themselves, and of their wives and children if they marry, is the increasing virulence of the evil. Not only did the ratio of admissions for primary and secondary syphilis rise from 54.4 per 1,000 in 1884, to 204 per 1,000 in 1897; but the disease itself, which had been reduced to a comparatively mild type under the operation of the ordinances, has assumed a severer form.
Such statistics speak for themselves and constitute, it is submitted, an irresistible argument in favour of re-establishing safeguards under which the disease was effectively controlled.
It has been suggested that the Cantonment Regulations which have lately been authorised in India might be applied to Hongkong. The Association would be travelling beyond its province in questioning how far those Regulations have been effective in India itself; but there can be no hesitation in affirming that they would fail of effect in Hongkong. The barracks in Hongkong form practically part of the city of Victoria, and the inutility of enforcing precautions within a given line when men need only overstep that line to find themselves in a locality devoid of restraint, is self-evident.
Stress has been laid on the Army Medical Statistics because they exhibit facts with a completeness that is unattainable in the case of the Civil population. For various reasons, moreover, and in various ways, that population is better able to protect itself. It must not be supposed, however, that our soldiers and sailors are alone sufferers from the conditions which the Colonies are compelled to endure.
The Report of the Principal Civil Medical Officer shows that the number of cases admitted into the Government Civil Hospital tends to show a similarly progressive increase; the totals being :-
1895 1896 1897 Primary syphilis 38 74 66 Secondary syphilis 31 46 82 Gonorrhoea 69 120 148 Total 417There were besides 91 cases of syphilis treated in the Gaol and 19 in the Tung Wa hospital in 1897, besides 268 cases of Gonorrhoea in the Gaol and Civil hospital combined.
There are other considerations which cannot, it is submitted, be left out of account.
It is matter of notoriety that Chinese prostitutes are nearly all domestic slaves. It is futile to plead that they are free in virtue of their presence on British soil, because they are too ignorant, too unconscious, too helpless to avail themselves of the privilege which is theoretically theirs. Registration and Inspection were protecting agencies to women in this condition. The operation of the Acts brought them in contact with a Government Officer who could protect them against inhumanity and ensure them medical treatment if they were ill. The effect of ...
1897.
1896.
1895.
1884.
fable showing Statistics of Venereal Disease among the troops in Hongkong and the Straits Settlements combined, in 1884, during the prevalence of the C. D. Ordinances.*
Primary Secondary Syphilis.
Syphilis. Gonorrhoea.
Sequel of Gonorrhos.
Total
Admissions
62
46
154
26
288
* See Army
Ratio of Admissions per
1000 of strength
Medical Report
X
81.2
28.2
77.5
19.1
145
for 1884,
p. 188
Constantly sick per 1000
of strength
2.92
1.68
5.15
1.04
10.79
Tables showing Statistics of Hongkong and the Straits separately in 1895, eight years after the repeal of the Ordinances, (v. Army Medical Report. pp. 200-3.)
HONGKONG,
THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
mary
Secondary
Admissions ... 67
96 292
455
Admissions.
330
190
287
807
Ratio of Ad-
Ratio of Ad-
missions per 1000
44.2 63.4 192.7
300.8
missions per 1000
241.2 188.9209.8
589.9
Average con-
Average con-
·
stantly sick 5.98 6.54 22.50
84.97
Constantly sick
per 1000
3.914.32 14.85
28.08
stantly sick. 28.82 14.49 16.05
Constantly sick
per 1000
59.86
21.07 10.59 11.73
43.39
Primary
Syphilis
Secondary
Syphilis.
Gonorrhoea.
Table for 1896 (v. Army Medical Report, p. 252.) HONGKONG,
THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
Total.
Primary
Syphilis.
Secondary
Syphilis.
Gonorrhea.
Admissions
96 156
277
529
Admissions ...
227
181
240 648
Ratio of Ad-
Ratio of Ad-
missions per 1000
62.3 106.1 388.4 859.8
6.51 8.32 12.18 26.01
Average con-
stantly sick. 8.10 12.28 17.91 88.24
Constantly sick!
per 1000
14.87 14.15 11.97 40.19
Table for 1897 (v. Army Medical Report, pp. 278-80).
HONGKONG.
THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
missions per 1000
Average con-
167.9 188.9177.5 479.8
stantly sick. 19.43 19.14 16.18 54.75 Constantly sick
per 1000
Primary
Syphilis.
Secondary
Syphilis.
Gonorrhosa.
Total.
Primary
Admissions...
Ratio of Ad-
121
411 700
Admissions ...
117 146 154
Ratio of Ad-
missions per 1000
118.6 85.4 290.1 494.1
missions per 1000
86.5 108.0 113.9 808.4
Average cor-
stantly sick. 17:26 10.38 83.29 60.88
Constantly sick
| Average con-
stantly sick. 12.40 15.80 11.0938.85 Constantly sick
per 1000
[12.187.20 28.49 42.96
per 1000
9.17 11.36 8.20 28.73
Syphilis.
Secondary
Syphilis.
Gonorrhoea.
Total.
Syphilis.
Gonorrhea.
Sequel
10
Total.
Even these figures fail to show the actual rapidity of increase, or the full extent development of the evil, for the reason that simple venereal ulcers--which were officially included in the classification of "Primary Syphilis" in 1884-are not so comprised in 1895-6-7.
Cases of that class which occurred in those years must, therefore, obviously be added for purposes both of comparison and accuracy; and the effect is to raise the ratio of admission from 145 per 1000 in 1884-when the ordinances were in operation-- progressively to 103 per 1000 in 1895, 592 per 1000 in 1896, and the appalling total of 668 per 1000 in 1897, within ten years after their repeal.
The situation is summed up in the Army Medical Report for 1897 in the following terms :-
of
154
1186 per 1,000,
as
There were 168 admissions for primary syphilis or a ratio compared with 65'3 in the previous year, and with 414 the average rate. If to this be added the sickness from soft chancre, for which there were 217 admissions and 18:31 men constantly sick, the total admission ratio for primary venereal sores equalled 992-9 per 1,000, which is higher than in 1896 by 84-8, and than the decennial average rate by 136-3. Secondary syphilis, with 121 admissions, gave a ratio of $54 per 1,000, which is below the previous year's rate by 207, but above the average rate by 319. For gonorrhea there were 411 admissions, or a ratio of 2901 per 1,000, which is higher than in the previous year by 101-7, and than the average rate by 145-5. Including all forms, the total admission rate for venereal diseases was 6684 per 1,000, which is higher than in 1896 by 165-8, and than the average ratio for the preceding ton years
by as much as 318-7. The total amount of constant inefficiency from these diseases was equal to 55-88 per 1,000, or 17:38 above the rate for the previous year and 29-25 above the average rate.
The Principal Medical Officer adds that the statistics of the past two years indicate a persistent and rapid increase in venereal disease, both in the number of cases and in the rate of constant inefficiency from these causes, which, if it continues, will probably necessitate a permanent increase in the hospital establishment at Hong Kong.
More serious, perhaps, even than the numerical multiplication of cases--more serious with regard to the future of the men themselves, and of their wives and children if they marry, is the increasing virulence of the evil. Not only did the ratio of admissions for primary and secondary syphilis rise from 544 per 1,000 in 1884, to 204 per 1,000 in 1897; but the disease itself, which had been reduced to a comparatively mild type under the operation of the ordinances, has assumed a severer form.
Such statistics speak for themselves and constitute, it is submitted, an irresistible argument in favour of re-establishing safeguards under which the disease was effectively controlled.
It has been suggested that the Cantonment Regulations which have lately been authorised in India might be applied to Hongkong. The Association would be travelling beyond its province in questioning how far those Regulations have been effective in India itself; but there can be no hesitation in affirming that they would fail of effect in Hongkong. The barracks in Hongkong form practically part of the city of Victoria, and the inutility of enforcing precautions within a given line when men need only overstep that line to find themselves in a locality devoid of restraint, is self-evident.
Stress has been laid on the Army Medical Statistics because they exhibit facts with a completeness that is unattainable in the case of the Civil population. For various reasons, moreover, and in various ways, that population is better able to protect itself. It must not be supposed, however, that our soldiers and sailors are alone sufferers from the conditions which the Colonies are compelled to endure.
The Report of the Principal Civil Medical Officer shows that the number of cases admitted into the Government Civil Hospital tends to show a similarly progressive increase; the totals being :-
-
Total.
417
There were besides 91 cases of syphilis treated in the Gaol and 19 in the Tung Wa hospital in 1897, besides 268 cases of Gonorrhoea in the Gaol and Civil hospital combined.
There are other considerations which cannot, it is submitted, be left out of account.
It is matter of notoriety that Chinese prostitutes are nearly all domestic slaves. It is futile to plead that they are free in virtue of their presence on British soil, because they are too ignorant, too unconscious, too helpless to avail themselves of the privilege which is theoretically theirs. Registration and Inspection were protecting agencies to women in this condition. The operation of the Acts brought them in contact with a Government Officer who could protect them against inhumanity and ensure them medical treatment if they were ill. The effect of
1895
1896
1897
Primary syphilis
38
74
66
Secondary syphilis
31
46
82
69
120
148
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