Sessional_Paper_1885-1886 — Page 308

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20. As the maladies in the two sexes are not invariably identical it follows that, in view of insuring uniformity in the returns, it is necessary to call things by their wrong names.

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In the old form, no distinction is drawn between hunterian chancre, chancroid, ulceration and abrasion of the os uteri. All these cases were put down as 'primary syphilis"; and leucorrhoea invariably as gonorrhoea. If a woman happens to be suffering from leucorrhoea and abrasion of the os uteri, this is classified as gonorrhoea and primary syphilis combined.

21. In the face of all these shortcomings, and in consequence of the alterations in the examination days, I proposed a new form of return (form D) which would show in a few columns the daily and monthly number of the women examined, and those that are detained or discharged from the hospital, und the nature of their disease.

Two other similar returns (G. & F.) were proposed for the women from unregistered brothels, and for those examined weekly at Wántsai.

I thought that it would be equally advantageous to have a special retura (form E) for recording the complaints against the registered women.

22. As we are not authorized to dispense altogether with the old style of classification, the columns of the forms A and C have been filled up accordingly by the Apothecary of this hospital, Mr. De Souza, to whom this task has always been entrusted.

23. For daily admissions and other purposes, there is no other alternative but to use the new forms.

The old one, C, as you are aware, is almost invariably misleading.

24. From the Registrar General's Department 107 women charged with carrying on clandestine prostitution were sent here for examination.

This testifies to the continued activity on the part of the Inspectors. Disease in its various stages and complications was detected in 44 of those women, and on this account they had generally to be kept longer in the hospital than the other patients.

25. Notwithstanding that they were fed and treated gratis, they did not appear to be thankful for it. One of them was induced by a male friend, who made signs to her from outside, to run away, just when she was on the point of being cured. Many of them, on being discharge, change their residence, and continue pursuing their old and dangerous career, until convicted again.

26. The necessity of controlling prostitution is forcibly seen in the women who lead this kind of life. To imagine that by ignoring this evil in large cities it will cease to exist, is to allow the dissemination of a worse one, and to entertain an error which has been confuted in all and in

ages every country. The fact of the non-enforcement of the law has no deterrent effect on the bulk of men, nor does it keep them away from brothels.

It is generally the stranger, the inexperienced, and those with their reason temporarily disturbed by alcohol, who suffer by it, by becoming often invalided for life, and a burden to others. And if they do get married, they have an enfeebled and sickly offspring.

27. I understand that the Chinese in this Colony recognise the benefit derived from the Ordinance. The particular care with which the brothels for the well-to-do class are looked after, renders inspection amongst them not so pressing. But it is notorious that venereal diseases prevail to a frightful extent amongst the lower section of prostitutes.

28. Till lately, European patients were absolutely free from any charge whatever; but this anomaly has been done away with. They and the Japanese will now have to pay 25 cents daily, and the rate for the Chinese bas been raised from 10 to 12 cents.

29. Medicines are also dispensed to them for various other ailments, when applied for. So that if the Government, to curtail the expenses incurred in enforcing the observance of this branch of Sanitary Science, were to make every registered woman pay one dollar monthly, as is done in Singa- pore, instead of charging four dollars for each house, no objection, I think, is to be apprehended from the change.

30. Some Justices of the Peace recommended in the Visiting Book, what I suggested some time ago, the employment and payment of those patients who are willing to do needle work required for this Establishment, instead of ordering it from outside. The Matron is ready to teach them. `In this way, their time will pass agreeably and profitably.

31. The longest period of detention was 100 days; the shortest period 1 day, in two cases of leucorrhoea. The highest number of patients admitted on any single day, was 6; the lowest number 1. The greatest number treated in one day amounted to 32, the smallest to 5. There were remaining on the last day of December 1884, 18; and in 1885, 13 patients.

32. It is gratifying to be able once more to record no death. One patient who had contracted variola had to be removed to the other hospital, and she eventually made a good recovery.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

L. P. MARQUES.. Medical Officer in charge of the Hospital,

Dr. Pn. B. C. AYRES.

Colonial Surgeon.