September 3, 2025 • 55 mins
This investigation delves into the complex and often overlooked issues surrounding prostitution. While many individuals instinctively seek the causes behind societal vices, a significant portion of the intelligent population in New York has suffered the consequences of this persistent issue without exploring its root causes. Each year, countless lives are impacted, as broken health and tarnished reputations emerge from this vice. Is it too late to awaken your curiosity and compassion for this critical matter? We argue that it is high time to conduct an inquiry that addresses these pressing concerns‚one that is essential for public safety, personal well-being, and the greater good.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section fifty five of the History of Prostitution. This is
a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org.
Recording by Mina Anderson. The History of Prostitution by William Sanger,
Section fifty five, Chapter thirty six, New York Extent, Effects
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and cost of prostitution, Part one. Number of public prostitutes,
opinion of Chief of Police in eighteen fifty six. Effects
on prostitution of commercial panic of eighteen fifty seven, extravagant
surmises Police investigation of May eighteen fifty eight. Private prostitutes,
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aggregate prostitution visitors from the suburbs of New York strangers,
proportion of prostitutes to population. Syphilis, danger of infection, increase
of venereal disease. Statistics of cases treated in Island Hospital
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Blackwell's Island, primary syphilis and its indications. Cases of venereal
disease in public institutions alms House, Workhouse, Penitentiary, Bellevue Hospital,
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Nursery Hospital, Randall's Island, Emigrants Hospital, Ward's Island, New York
City Hospital, dispensaries, medical colleges, King's County Hospital, Brooklyn City Hospital,
Siemens Retreatsdden Island. Summary of cases treated in public institutions,
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private treatment advertisers, patent medicines, drug stores, aggregate of venereal disease,
probabilities of infection, cost of prostitution, capital invested in houses
of prostitution and assignation, dancing saloons, etc. Income of prostitutes,
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individual expenses of visitors, medical expenses, vagrancy and pauper expenses,
police and judiciary expenses. Correspondence with leading cities of the
United States. Estimated prostitution throughout the Union, Remarks on Tades,
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prostitution in Edinburgh unfounded estimates, National statistics of population, births, education, occupation, wages, pauperism, crime,
breweries and distilleries, and nativities. The preceding chapters have given
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a statistical and descriptive account of prostitution in New York.
Before considering what measures can be best applied for the
amelioration of its accompanying evils, it will be necessary to
ascertain the extent of the system, and this inquiry must
include the number of abandoned women in the city and
the amount of venereal infection propagated through their agency. It
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has been assumed in these pages that the two thousand
women whose replies form the basis of the statistical tables
represent about one third of the aggregate prostitution of New York.
This is allowing an increase of twenty percent during the
winner of eighteen fifty seven to eighteen fifty eight, in
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consequence of the commercial panic of last autumn and the
resulting paralysis of trade and suffering of the labouring community.
In the progress of this investigation, it was deemed advisable
to consult those whose acquaintance with the details of city
life would entitle their opinions to confidence as to the
actual number of prostitutes within our limits, and in addition
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to much information obtained privately. The following correspondence took place
with the then Chief of Police, Resident Physician's Office, Blackwell's Island,
New York, September one, eighteen fifty six, George W. Matzell Esquire,
Chief of Police, Dear Sir. During the last twenty years,
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various estimates have been made by different persons, foreigners and
natives interested and not interested, as to the number of
prostitutes in the city of ne us, it is generally
supposed that they reach the large number of twenty five
or thirty thousand. You, sir, have been at the head
of the police department of the city for the past
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fifteen years, while previous to that time you acted, if
I mistake not, as one of the police justices of
the city. I presume therefore that you have a considerable
knowledge of prostitution as it exists here, and consequently can
give a very correct opinion as to the number of
prostitutes in New York City. You will greatly oblige me if,
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at your earliest leisure, and in any form most convenient
to yourself, you will state what you believe to be
the total number of prostitutes now in the city. It
is proper to add that, with your permission, I intend
to publish this letter with your answer in the report
on prostitution, which I am preparing and shall soon have
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the honor to lay before the public. Yours respectfully, William W. Sasanger,
Resident Physician, Blackwell's Island, Reply, Office of the Chiefs Police,
New York, December twelfth, eighteen fifty six, Doctor William W. Sanger,
Dear Sir, I received your letter asking me to express
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in writing my estimate of the whole number of known
public prostitutes in the City of New York. In the
absence of any law compelling the registering of public prostitutes,
it would be very difficult to testify with accuracy to
the exact number of such persons in the city. I
have no hesitancy in stating that, in my opinion, they
do not number over five thousand persons, if indeed they
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reach so high a figure. Having been engaged in public
life for many years, my opinion is based on the
observations made by me from time to time, and from
various official reports made to me. You are at liberty
to make such use of this answer to your interrogatory
as you may deem proper very respectfully, you Goo W. Matzel,
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Chief of Police. This communication, in addition to the facts
gleaned from other sources, was amply sufficient to warrant the
conclusion that the known public prostitutes in New York did
not exceed five thousand in number at the close of
the year eighteen fifty six. Then ensued the summer with
its artificial inflation, that false prosperity which excites unbounded hopes
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and stimulates to measureless extravagance, followed by the revulsion and
panic of the fall and winter. Trade was literally dead.
Operatives never too well paid were threatened with starvation. Females
particularly felt the rigid pressures of the times. In many families,
the embarrassments of the fathers compelled a reduction of the
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servants employed, and a large number of domestics were added
to the aggregate of that class already out of situations.
The occupations of the army of seems distresses, dressmakers, milliners,
and tailoresses were suspended, and their struggles for bread were
merged in the general cry for labor. It was in
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short a trying time alike for the sufferers and the observers.
But one resort seemed available. The poor, workless, houseless, foodless
woman must have recourse to prostitution as a means of
preserving life. As usual in any time of great excitement,
surmise ran actually wild as to the extent of the
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consequences and extravagance. Theories abounded, one gentleman actually stating in
a public meeting that a thousand virtuous girls were becoming
prostitutes every week through sheer starvation, an assertion so appalling
as this is its own refutation. It assumes that one
woman in every hundred of the female population of New
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York City between the ages of fifteen and thirty years
became a prostitute every week, And therefore, during the six
months of fall and winter, twenty six thousand women, one
fourth of the inhabitants of the age is named. One
in every four of all the women under middle age
would have been forced into vice. The practice of jumping
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at conclusions upon serious matters like this is much to
be reprehended. An exaggerated statement made in the fervor of enthusiasm,
while advocating a benevolent object, must always recoil to the
injury of the cause it is intended to promote. It
will be necessary only to consider for a moment the
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financial condition of New York to be convinced that such
an increase of prostitution was impossible. It cannot be denied
that the number of abandoned women is regulated by the demand,
or that the only inducement which could lead virtuous girls
to the course alleged must have been the necessity to
earn money for subsistence. But this necessity to earn money
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was felt as strongly by men as by women. The
revulsion for a time left a large portion of the
community without resources. Merchants, manufacturers and storekeepers found their receipts
inadequate to meet their expenditures. Commercial employees, bookkeepers, clerks, salesmen
and agents were discharged. Mechanics in every branch were without
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work and consequently without wages. Merchants from other parts of
the country had no money to meet their liabilities or
make fresh purchases, and therefore did not visit the city
as usual. These causes combined to reduce the business of
houses of prostitution, and instead of large accessions to the
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ranks of courtesans, many of this very class were forced
to seek a refuge in the public charitable institutions. Hence
arose the increase in the denizens of black Wafle Island,
where hospital, almhouse, workhouse and penitentiary were alike overcrowded. Some
of the places vacated by these recipients of el emotionary
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aid were doubtless filled by new recruits, but the supposition
that a thousand were added every week would imply a
change in the whole corps. Every six weeks or a
change nearly five times completed during the fall and winter.
That female virtue was yielded in many instances cannot unfortunately
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be doubted. But the sufferers did not become public prostitutes
poor creatures. They surrendered themselves unwillingly to some temporary acquaintance,
probably in gratitude for assistance already rendered, or anticipating aids
to be afforded. There is something truly melancholy in the
consideration that bread had to be purchased at such a
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price that the only alternative lay between voluntary dishonour and
killing indigence. It is but charity to conclude that the
woman who thus acted, if her subsequent course was not
a continuous life of abandonment, was impelled by the stern
necessity of the times, rather than induced by a laxity
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of moral feeling unchased, as she must be admitted, she
can scarcely be deemed a prostitute in the ordinary acceptation
of the word. The population of New York is now
some thirty or forty thousand more than at that time,
and female degradation has extended as a natural consequence. Relying
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upon the estimate of five thousand as correct at the
time made. The subsequent augmentation of inhabitants would suppose an
addition of about three hundred prostitutes. But to take the
wildest scope and assume that the debasement required by hunger
degenerated into a habit of confirmed vice, it may be
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admitted that the number of abandoned women in New York
has increased from five thousand in eighteen fifty six to
six thousand in eighteen fifty eight. This is a very
liberal estimate, and the total assigned is certainly not too small.
How much it may be in excess cannot be said
with precision. But in an argument of this nature, it
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is safer to err in the direction of overstating and
evil than to be lulled into false security by too
flattering a representation. The known public prostitutes of New York
are thus presumed to amount to six thousand at the
present day, but to this number exceptions might be taken
to secure farther accuracy. Additional evidence was sought. In the
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month of May eighteen fifty eight. The assistance of the
Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners was requested, and, under the
direction of its president, General James w nie to whom
our acknowledgments are respectfully tendered for his courtesy and aid.
A list of queries was submitted to the inspector of
each police precinct. Below is a copy of the circular
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with the synopsis of the replies. Copy Office of the
Metropolitan Police Commissioners, New York, May one, eighteen fifty eight.
Inspector blank blank blank, Police Precinct, Sir, you will please
report to this office as early as possible on the
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questions given below. Let your answers be full and explicit
to the best of your knowledge and belief. Space is
left below each query for the assertion of your replies,
and you will therefore write them on this sheet and
return it without delay. One how many houses of prostitution,
from the most public to the most private, are there
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in your police district? Two? How many houses of vassignation
are there in your district? Three? How many dancing saloons,
liquor and large beer stores are there in your district
where prostitutes are in the habit of assembling in addition
to the known houses of prostitution? Four how many prostitutes
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do you suppose reside in your district? Synopsis of replies
Precincts reported by houses of prostitution, houses of assignation, dancing saloons,
liquor or lager beer stores where prostitutes assemble. Estimated number
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of prostitutes Precinct one reported by Inspector James Sylvie Houses
of prostitution twenty two, houses of assignation, blank, dancing saloons,
liquor or lagger beer stores. Three. Estimated number of prostitutes
seventy six. Precinct two reported by Inspector Heart B. Weed
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Houses of prostitution one, houses of essignation, blank, dancing saloons,
liquor or lagger beer stores. One. Estimated number of prostitutes two.
Precinct three reported by Inspector j. A. P. Hopkins Houses
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of prostitution nine, houses of assignation, blank, dancing saloons, liquor
or lagger beer stores blank. Estimated number of prostitutes twenty six.
Precinct four reported by Inspector Morris DeCamp Houses of prostitution
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thirty five, houses of assignation thirteen, dancing saloons, liquor or
lagger beer stores eight. Estimated number of prostitutes seven hundred
and fifty Precinct five Inspector Henry Hutchings Houses a prostitution
sixty three of assignation seven, dancing saloons, liquor or Logger
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beer stores forty six estimated number of prostitutes four hundred
and twenty Precinct six Acting Inspector Lush Houses of prostitution
fifty two of assignation six dancing saloons, liquor or Lagger
beer stores twelve. Estimated number of prostitutes two hundred and
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twenty eight Precinct seven. Inspector John Cameron houses a prostitution six,
Houses of assignation blank, dancing saloons, liquor or lager beer
stores four estimated number of prostitutes one hundred Precinct eight.
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Inspector C. S. Turnbull houses a prostitution four forty three
of assignation fifteen dancing saloons, liquor or Logger beer stores. Blank.
Estimated number of prostitutes three hundred Precynct. Nine Inspector Jacob L.
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Sebring Houses of prostitution blank of assignation blank, dancing saloons,
liquor or lagger beer stores blank. Estimated number of prostitutes
fifty Precinct ten. Inspector T. C. Davis Houses of Prostitution
twenty six of assignation. One dancing saloons, liquors or lagger
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beer stores. Four. Estimated number of prostitutes one hundred Precinct eleven.
Inspector Peter Squires Houses of Prostitution blank of assignation blank,
Dancing saloons, liquor or lagger beer stores twelve estimated number
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of prostitutes fifty Precinct twelve. Inspector Gallon P. Border Houses
of Prostitution, blank of assignation blank, Dancing saloons, liquor or
lager beer stores blank. Estimated number of prostitutes blank. Precinct thirteen.
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Inspector Thomas Steers Houses of Prostitution fifteen of assignation four
Dancing saloons, liquor or lager beer stores. Eight estimated number
of prostitutes one hundred and fifty Precinct fourteen. Inspector J. J.
Williamson Houses of Prostitution thirty nine of assignation five Dancing saloons,
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liquor or lager beer stores. Blank. Estimated number of prostitutes
one hundred and twenty five Precinct fifteen. Inspector G. W.
Dilkiss Houses of Prostitution five of assignation nineteen Dancing saloons,
liquor or lager beer stores seven estimated number of prostitutes
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one hundred and seventy five precyinct sixteen. Inspector Samuel Carpenter
Houses of Prostitution six of assignation four dancing saloons, liquor,
et cetera. Ten estimated number of prostitutes five hundred precinct
seventeen Inspector J. W. Hart Houses of Prostitution twenty of
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assignation three Dancing saloons, liquor or lager beer stores. Six
estimated number of prostitutes one hundred and fifty precynct. Eighteen
Inspector Theoron R. Bennett Houses of Prostitution one of assignation blank,
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Dancing saloons liquor or lager beer stores three estimated number
of prostitutes two hundred and fifty precinct nineteen. Inspector James
Bryan Houses of Prostitution five of assignation one Dancing saloons,
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liquor or lagger beer stores. Two estimated number of prostitutes
thirty precinct twenty Inspector F. M. Curry Houses of Prostitution
fifteen of assignation one dancing saloons, liquor or lager beer
stores five estimated number of prostitutes two hundred and fifty.
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Precinct twenty one Inspector Francis Speyte Houses of prostitution fifteen
of assignation ten dancing saloons, liquor or lagger beer stores.
Estimated number of prostitutes seventy five. Precinct twenty two Inspector
James E. Colteire Houses of prostitution blank of assignation blank,
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dancing saloons, liquor or lager beer stores fourteen estimated number
of prostitutes fifty totals houses of prostitution three hundred and
seventy eight, Houses of assignation eighty nine dancing saloons, liquor
or lager beer stores or prostitutes assemble one hundred and
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fifty one. Estimated number of prostitutes three thousand, eight hundred
and fifty seven upon. Some of the reports are notes
which may be extracted. Inspector Sylvie First District says, in
answer to question four, there are two mind knowledge seventy
six common prostitutes living in this precinct. Inspector de Camp
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fourth District, says in answer to question four, three hundred
and fifty who reside in houses of prostitution, one hundred
and fifty kept mistresses, one hundred and fifty who reside
in the ward and prostitute themselves in this and other wards,
and probably one hundred occasional prostitutes. Inspector Hutchings fifth District,
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in answer to question three clarifies the resorts as dancing rooms,
two saloons, and cigar stores thirty one lager beer stores
thirteen total forty six, and an answer to question four
subdivides the prostitutes into whites three hundred and sixty blacks
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sixty four hundred and twenty. Acting Inspector Lush sixth District
says in answer to question four, one hundred and seventy
eight known prostitutes whose names we have supposed to be
at least fifty more residing in the district. Inspector Cameron
seventh District, in answer to question three, classifies the resorts
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into logger beer stores three, cigar store one four and
an answer to question four says can give no reliable information.
Probably one hundred. Inspector Seabring ninth District says in answer
to question one, this precinct does not contain any houses
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of prostitution that I am aware of, and in reply
to question four, scattered through the precinct there are probably fifty,
Inspector Squire's eleventh District says an answer to question one, none.
Properly speaking, there are many low drinking places where dissipated
persons of both sexes often meet, and where no doubt
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prostitution is sometimes practiced, but no regular houses of them character.
To question three, there are about a dozen lager beer
saloons where Dutch girls of loose character assemble and dance
at night. They do not remain long in the same place,
but when driven from one place, they locate in another.
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To question four, I presume there are about fifty young
women and married women, some of whom pass for respectable persons,
who are in the habit of going across to the eighth,
fifteenth and other disreputable wards for purposes of prostitution. And
some of the lowest of these are even said to
visit the fifth ward. But I have never been able
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to ascertain this fact positively. Inspector Porter twelfth District says,
this precinct comprising all that portion of the island north
of eighty sixth Street is not infested with any of
the evils enumerated in the within questions. Inspector Williamson fourteenth
District says, in answer to question four, I should suppose
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about one hundred and twenty five. Inspector Carpenter's sixteenth District
says an answer to question four, it is generally conceded
by those of us who presume to know that there
are in this precinct at least five hundred prostitutes of
all ages, nations, grades, and colors. Inspector Hart seventeenth District
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says in answer to question four, this being a hard
question to answer, the answer must be taken as entirely guesswork.
Supposed to be about one hundred and fifty, Inspector Curry
twentieth District says, in answer to question four, probably two
or three hundred. But this is mere guesswork. We know
there are a great many, some of them very young.
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Those reports from which no extracts have been made consist
simply of figures without any remarks, and are given fully
in the synopsis. It will be observed that all of
the officers quoted give the number of prostitutes more as
a conjecture than a certainty, and although their avocations would
lead them to know most of the disreputable women in
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their several districts, none of them assume to be so
thoroughly informed as to be enabled to answer positively. To
the numbers they give. Must be added the floating prostitute
population of station houses, city and district prisons, hospitals, workhouse,
almshouse and penitentiary, which varies from one thousand to two thousand,
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and may be taken at an average of one thousand,
five hundred. This with those known to the police, makes
a total of five thousand, three hundred and fifty seven,
and the balance of six hundred and forty three required
to raise the number to six thousand is but a
moderate allowance for those who have escaped the eyes of
the officers when taking the census. As before remarked, it
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is better to overestimate than underestimate the abandoned women of
the city. But to this number are to be added
those whose calling is so effectually disguised as to prevent
its being known, those who practice prostitution in addition to
some legitimate occupation, and those who resort to illicit pleasures
for the indulgence of their passions to obtain information on
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these points. Some supplementary questions were addressed to the captains
of the police at the commencement of this investigation in
eighteen fifty six, and their replies are now submitted. The
first inquiry was how many houses of vascignation are there
in your district? It was known when this interrogatory was
propounded that the secrecy maintained in these places would, in
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some instances baffle the keenness, not often at fault of
our shrewdest police officers, and no surprise was felt when
the replies indicated that only seventy four of these houses
were known to them. Reliable information from other sources led
to the conviction that this was understated. The investigation of
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May eighteen fifty eight fixes the number at eighty nine,
which is also too low, and we shall be perfectly
justified in estimating the number of houses of vassignation in
New York at one hundred. The next question was, what,
to the best of your belief, are the average number
of visitors to such houses every twenty four hours. The
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replies gave an average of six couples to each house
every day to an aggregate of six hundred women every
twenty four hours. This was followed by the query or
all the females who visit these houses of vassignation known
public prostitutes? If not, of what class do you suppose
or know them to be? From the replies, it was
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found that about two fifths were known as prostitutes, the
remainder being sewing or shop girls, kept mistresses, widows, and
some married women. Again, state your opinion as to he
how many kept mistresses there are in your district. In
the twenty two districts, two hundred sixty eight were ascertained,
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and the presumption was that there were more. The number
may be safely taken at four hundred. The next question
was how many women, to the best of your belief,
and that you have not previously examined, are there in
your district that obtain a livelihood in whole or in
part by prostitution? To this the number are stated upon belief,
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for the nature of the question precludes any positive information
as about four hundred. Can you form an opinion as
to how many women in your districts who are not
impelled by necessity prostitute themselves to gratify their passions. No
definite answers were obtained to this, the general suppositions ranging
from one third to one fourth of those who were
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not recognized as public prostitutes. To what extent, in your opinion,
is prostitution carried on in the tenant houses in your disast?
It is generally admitted that there is some, but no
calculation can be made with any accuracy. Many of what
may be called private prostitutes live in this class of houses,
but their visitors would be taken to houses of vassignation,
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where the numbers are included in the estimate given. It
is believed that there are many women who follow prostitution,
living in nearly all the respectable portions of the city.
They singly, or in couples, hire a suite of rooms,
and under the garb of honest labor, sewing, et cetera,
passes respectable among those living near them. It is also
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known that such as these are the great frequenters of
houses of vassignation. How many such women, to the best
of your belief, are there in your district? The officers
reply was that they have ascertained that there are about
two hundred but they believe there are many more. Thus
much for the information we have been enabled to collect.
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There are six hundred women who visit these houses of
assignation every day, of whom two fits are known as
public prostitutes, and the remainder are of other classes. It
may be assumed that the known prostitutes visit such houses
at least once every twenty four hours, which leaves over
three hundred visits daily. For the others, kept mistresses or
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married women who resort there for the gratification of their
passions probably amount to one hundred per day. It can
scarcely be supposed that such visit houses of assignation more
than once a week as a general rule, while the
others sewing or shop girls, et cetera, who resort there
to augment their income, would probably take this step two
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or three times per week, which would bring their number
to about four hundred. It thus appears that a very
fair estimate of the total number of frail women who
are now in New York may be stated as follows.
Known public prostitutes six thousand women who visit houses of
assect nation for sexual gratification. One thousand, two hundred and
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sixty women who visit houses a vacignation to augment their
income four hundred one half the number of kept mistresses,
assuming the other have to be included in those who
visit houses a vasignation two hundred total seven thousand, eight
hundred and sixty. It will be seen that to arrive
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at this conclusion, all are included who are suspected to
be lost to virtue. Although of the number who visit
houses a vacignation for sexual gratification, many are guiltless of
promiscuous intercourse. This total number falls very far short of
the estimates made at different times by various persons that
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there are from twenty to thirty thousand prostitutes in New
York City. Such rash conclusions, hastily formed in the excitement
of the moment, sometimes influenced by the fact that the
wish is father to the thought, give place to the
result of a careful, in searching investigation made for this
special purpose. The modus operandi of examination in the city
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rendered it incumbent on those having it in charge to
approximate to the facts, and is itself a sufficient guarantee
of correctness. If it were possible to parade the six
thousand known public prostitutes in one procession. They would make
a much larger demonstration than the mere printed words six
thousand suggests to the reader. It requires a man who
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is in the habit of seeing large congregations of persons
to comprehend at a glance the aggregate implied in this statement.
Place this number of women in line, side by side,
and if each was allowed only twenty four inches of room,
they would extend two miles and four hundred and eighty yards.
Let them march up Broadway in single file and allow
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each woman thirty six inches, and that is as little
room as possible, considering the requires its space for locomotion,
and they would reach from the City Hall to fortieth Street.
Or let them all ride in the ordinary city stages,
which carry twelve passengers each, and it would be necessary
to charter five hundred omnibuses for their conveyance. These simple
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illustrations will make the extent of the vice plane to
many who could form but an adequate idea from the
mere figures. Yet the estimate will probably appear low to
those residents of the city who have been accustomed to
believe New York reeking with prostitution in every hole and corner,
while it would seem excessively large to readers residing in
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the country. For the information of the latter, it may
be remarked that vicious as Manhattan Island unquestionably is, much
as there may be in it to need reform in
this manner of prostitution, it must not bear all the
blame for these six thousand women, for although they certainly
reside in it, a very large number of their visitors
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do not dwell there. Brooklyn, the Village on Long Eye Island,
Fort Hamilton, New Utrek, Flushing, and others Jersey City, Hobokan,
Hudson's Staten Island, Morrisania, Fordham, et cetera. Contain numbers of
people who transact their daily business in New York, but
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reside in those places. And very few of these localities
are any prostitutes to be found, nor would they be
encouraged therein while New York is so close at hand
and so easy of access. Again, the strangers flocking into
the city from all parts of the world average from
five to twenty thousand and upward every day, and they
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must relieve it of some part of this Oblookey The
population of New York at the last census eighteen fifty
five was officially stated to be in round numbers six
hundred and thirty thousand, and the proportionate increase for three
years to the extend time will bring it very near
seven hundred thousand. If elicit intercourse here were carried on
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only by permanent residents, its proportion of public prostitutes would
be one to every one hundred and seventeen of the inhabitants.
But the calculation must include the denizens of the places
already enumerated and adding five hundred thousand for them, and
the number of strangers constantly visiting the city. We have
a total of one million, two hundred thousand persons, making
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the proportion of prostitutes only one in every two hundred,
including men, women, and children. It is desirable, however, to
ascertain what proportion courtisans bear to the classes who patronize them,
and the census shows that males above the age of
fifteen form about thirty two percent of the population. A
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wider range might have been taken, as it is notorious
that many boys under fifteen years old, especially among the
lower classes, practice the vice. But assuming that to be
the standard there is one prostitute to every sixty four
adult males, certainly not a large proportion in a commercial
and maritime city. It is impossible to form any idea
(38:10):
of the proportion of male inhabitants and visitors who encourage
houses of prostitution. Marriage is not always attract to indiscriminate intercourse,
and professions of religion are often violated for illicit gratification. Still,
there are a vast number whom these obligations bind, and
if they could be exactly ascertained, this would make a
(38:31):
corresponding difference in the proportions. As the case now is,
New York City stands somewhat in the position of a
seduced woman and has to endure all the odium attached
to the number of prostitutes residing within her limits, while
her neighbors and strangers, who largely participate in the offense
are like seducers and escape all censure, self righteously saying
(38:54):
how virtuous is our own town or village compared with
that sink of iniquity. It has been already stated that
the effect would be if all visitors of New York
were moral men, And although the remark need not be repeated.
Its oppositiveness is apparent from the prostitutes within our borders
(39:15):
emanates the plague of syphilis, and when the number of
abandoned women is considered in conjunction with the certainty that
each of them is liable at any moment to contract
and extend the malady. When the probabilities of such extension
are viewed in connection with the acknowledged fact that each
prostitute in New York receives from one to ten visitors
(39:35):
every day, instances are known where the maximum exceeds and
sometimes doubles the highest number here given, there can be
no reasonable doubt of the danger of infection, nor any
surprise that the average life of prostitutes is only four years.
The actual extent of venereal disease must be the first
(39:56):
point of inquiry, and here the records of public institutions
are great service. The hospitals on Blackwell's Island, under the
charge of the Governors of the Almshouse, present the largest
array of cases, the principal part of which were treated
in the penitentiary now Island Hospital. The number of these
(40:16):
cases was in eighteen fifty four one thousand, five hundred
and forty one, eighteen fifty five, one thousand, five hundred,
seventy nine, eighteen fifty six, one thousand, six hundred and
thirty nine, eighteen fifty seven, two thousand and ninety. Upon
(40:38):
these facts, the writer of these pages remarked in his
annual report to the Board of Governors for eighteen fifty six,
the ratio of venereal disease on the gross number of
patients treated in eighteen fifty four was thirty seven and
four tenths of a percent. The ratio of the same
disease in eighteen fifty five was fifty eight and seven
(41:01):
tenths of a percent, showing an increase in the year
eighteen fifty five of twenty one and three tenths percent.
The ratio of venereal disease on the gross number of
patients treated during eighteen fifty six was seventy three one
tenth percent, showing an increase in eighteen fifty six as
(41:21):
compared with eighteen fifty five of fourteen four ten percent,
or an increase as compared with eighteen fifty four of
thirty five seven tenths percent. This steady increase twenty one
three tenths percent in one year and fourteen four tenths
percent in the next or thirty five seven tenths percent
(41:44):
within two years, may be considered an incontrovertible proof of
the progress of this malady in the city of New York.
The fact that the people regard the penitentiary hospital as
a duneur resort, an institution to which nothing but the
direst necessity will compelled them to apply, justifies the conclusion
that the cases treated are but a fraction of the
(42:05):
disease existing, and its increase here may be taken as
a sure indication of a corresponding or a larger increase
among the general population. Again, on the same subject, in
eighteen fifty seven, in my last report, I took the
opportunity to submit to your honorable Board facts proving the
increase of venarial disease, and I then gave the ratio
(42:28):
of that malady on the gross number of patients treated
as seventy three one tenth percent. In the year eighteen
fifty seven, the ratio was sixty five two tenths percent.
But this reduction of seven nine tenths percent must be
considered in connection with the fact that other diseases much
beyond the general average have been treated in the last year,
(42:50):
so that a larger number of venarial cases will yet
show a smaller percentage. The cases of phythis pulmonellis consumption,
which have advanced from fifty eight in eighteen fifty six
to one hundred and fifty nine in eighteen fifty seven,
sufficiently explained that the decrease of venereal affections is apparent
(43:11):
and not real. An investigation beyond the statistics upon which
these remarks are based, and including the Penitentiary Hospital, Almshouse,
Workhouse and Penitentiary, had shown that of the total number
admitted to these several institutions, fifty nine and a half
percent had suffered or were suffering from venereal disease at
(43:32):
the time the inquiry was made. Of this proportion, forty
five percent of the total were suffering directly at the
time of investigation, and nineteen percent were suffering indirectly or
in non professional language, were laboring under disease more or
less consequent on the syphilitic taint.
Speaker 2 (43:51):
The following detailed statistics of venereal disease treated in the
Penitentiary Hospital for four years ending December thirty first, eighteen
fiftyfty seven will be found to embrace many subjects which
have been alluded to in these pages. Total number of
patients treated eighteen fifty four, four thousand, fifty eight, eighteen
(44:13):
fifty five.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
Two thousand, six hundred fifty seven.
Speaker 2 (44:18):
Eighteen fifty six, two thousand, eighty three, eighteen fifty seven,
three thousand, one hundred fifty eight Cases of primary syphilis
eighteen fifty four, six hundred and six fifty five, six
hundred sixty fifty six, six hundred fifty fifty seven, eight
(44:39):
hundred eighty two Cases of secondary and other forms of
syphilis eighteen fifty four, nine hundred thirty five fifty five,
nine hundred, nineteen fifty six, nine hundred eighty nine fifty seven,
one thousand, two hundred eight. Total of cephilitic diseases eighteen
(45:03):
fifty four, one thousand, five hundred forty one fifty five,
one thousand, five hundred seventy nine fifty six one thousand,
six hundred thirty nine fifty seven two thousand, ninety nativities
natives of United States eighteen fifty four, four hundred, ten
(45:26):
fifty five, four hundred eighty nine fifty six, five hundred
thirty one fifty seven, six hundred seventy three foreigners eighteen
fifty four one thousand, one hundred thirty one, fifty five,
one thousand, ninety fifty six, one thousand, one hundred eight
(45:49):
fifty seven, one thousand, four hundred seventeen total eighteen fifty
four one thousand, five hundred forty one, fifty five, one thousand,
five hundred seventy nine, fifty six, one thousand, six hundred
thirty nine fifty seven, two thousand, ninety Ages under sixteen
(46:12):
years eighteen fifty four sixty five, fifty five, seventy two,
fifty six, seventy seven, fifty seven sixty eight from sixteen
years to twenty years, eighteen fifty four four hundred eighty
one fifty five, four hundred fifty seven fifty six, four
(46:35):
hundred seventy two, fifty seven, five hundred ninety three. From
twenty one years to twenty five years. Eighteen fifty four
four hundred ninety fifty five, four hundred eighty one, fifty six,
four hundred ninety four fifty seven, six hundred thirty one
(46:56):
from twenty six years to thirty years. Eighteen fifty four
three hundred, fourteen fifty five three hundred four fifty six,
three hundred eleven fifty seven, four hundred twenty three from
thirty one years to forty years, eighteen fifty four, one hundred,
(47:17):
twenty eight, fifty five, one hundred, fifty one, fifty six,
one hundred sixty five fifty seven, one hundred ninety from
forty one years to fifty years eighteen fifty four, forty two,
fifty five, ninety nine, fifty six, one hundred and one
(47:41):
fifty seven, one hundred fifty seven from fifty one years
and upward eighteen fifty four, twenty one, fifty five, fifteen
fifty six, nineteen fifty seven, twenty eight total eighteen fifty
four one one thousand, five hundred, forty one, fifty five,
(48:03):
one thousand, five hundred seventy nine, fifty six, one thousand,
six hundred thirty nine fifty seven, two thousand, ninety education
Good eighteen fifty four, one hundred seventy five, fifty five,
two hundred, twenty seven, fifty six, two hundred thirty one
(48:26):
fifty seven, one hundred seventy five, Imperfect eighteen fifty four,
seven hundred eighty seven, fifty five, seven hundred ninety four
fifty six, eight hundred thirty fifty seven, one thousand, one
hundred sixty one uneducated eighteen fifty four, five hundred seventy
(48:50):
nine fifty five, five hundred fifty eight fifty six, five
hundred seventy eight fifty seven, seven hundred fifty four total
eighteen fifty four one thousand, five hundred forty one fifty five,
one thousand, five hundred seventy nine fifty six, one thousand,
(49:12):
six hundred thirty nine fifty seven, two thousand, ninety from
the total number of venereal patients under treatment eighteen fifty
four one thousand, five hundred forty one, eighteen fifty five,
one thousand, five hundred seventy nine, eighteen fifty six one thousand,
(49:32):
six hundred thirty nine, eighteen fifty seven, two thousand, ninety
deduct those discharged each year eighteen fifty four one thousand,
two hundred fifty three fifty five, one thousand, three hundred
sixteen fifty six, one thousand, three hundred eighty nine fifty seven,
(49:54):
one thousand, seven hundred ten, leaving to add to the
next year's account. Eighteen fifty twenty four two hundred eighty
eight fifty five two hundred sixty three, fifty six, two
hundred fifty fifty seven, three hundred eighty of the numbers discharged.
The following is the result treatment cured eighteen fifty four,
(50:18):
eight hundred seventy four fifty five, one thousand, fifty one
fifty six, one thousand, two hundred one fifty seven, one thousand,
four one hundred ninety one relieved, eighteen fifty four, three
hundred seventy fifty five, two hundred sixty three fifty six,
(50:39):
one hundred eighty three fifty seven, two hundred thirteen not
relieved eighteen fifty four, seven fifty five, blank, fifty six blank,
fifty seven one died eighteen fifty four, two fifty five,
(51:00):
fifty six, five fifty seven five Total eighteen fifty four,
one thousand, two hundred fifty three fifty five, one thousand,
three hundred, sixteen fifty six, one thousand, three hundred eighty
nine fifty seven, one thousand, seven hundred ten. Duration of
(51:22):
treatment five days and under eighteen fifty four, thirteen fifty five,
sixteen fifty six, seventeen fifty seven eighty three six days
to ten days, eighteen fifty four, fifty seven, fifty five
thirty six, fifty six, sixty eight fifty seven, one hundred
(51:47):
two eleven days to twenty days. Eighteen fifty four eighty
fifty five, fifty nine, fifty six, eighty one, fifty seven seven,
one hundred thirty one, twenty one days to thirty days.
Eighteen fifty four one hundred, fifty four fifty five, one hundred,
(52:10):
twenty one, fifty six, one hundred thirty seven, fifty seven,
one hundred eighty seven one month to two months. Eighteen
fifty four two hundred ninety three fifty five, three hundred
thirty three fifty six, four hundred fifty three fifty seven,
five hundred twenty eight, two months to three months. Eighteen
(52:34):
fifty four three hundred four fifty five, four hundred forty
three fifty six, three hundred forty fifty seven, three hundred
twenty eight, three months to four months. Eighteen fifty four
two hundred twenty fifty five, two hundred forty five fifty six,
(52:56):
two hundred seven fifty seven, two hundred six sixty four
months and upward. Eighteen fifty four one hundred thirty two,
fifty five, sixty three, fifty six, eighty six, fifty seven,
ninety one total eighteen fifty four one thousand, two hundred
(53:17):
fifty three fifty five, one thousand, three hundred, sixteen fifty
six one thousand, three hundred eighty nine fifty seven one thousand,
seven hundred ten. Some few remarks may be made on
the subject of primary syphilis. The proportion of the cases
of this malady to the gross number of patients treated
(53:39):
was in eighteen fifty four fourteen nine tenths percent, eighteen
fifty five twenty five, two tenths percent, eighteen fifty six
thirty one and two tenths of a percent, eighteen fifty seven,
twenty seven and nine tenths of a percent. By the
term primary seven, non professional readers will understand the commencement
(54:04):
of the disease or symptoms, which are the direct consequence
of an impure connection, in contradistinction to secondary syphilis, which
is the comparatively remote result of infection, never appearing until
after the primary symptoms are well developed, and frequently not
until all traces of them are removed. He will thus
(54:24):
see that every case of primary syphilis is in itself
a proof of recent intercourse with a diseased person. These
cases then have increased from fifteen percent in eighteen fifty
four to thirty one and one fourth of a percent
in eighteen fifty six and twenty eight percent in eighteen
fifty seven. The remarks recently quoted explain how eight hundred
(54:48):
eighty two cases in eighteen fifty seven make a smaller
percentage than six hundred fifty in eighteen fifty six. The
fact of this increase compels us to but one cond inclusion,
and that is a very important and suggestive one, namely,
that commerce with prostitutes in eighteen fifty seven was attended
with nearly twice the risk of infection incurred in eighteen
(55:12):
fifty four, and of course the health of abandoned women
has deteriorated in the same proportion. This is not said
with any wish on the part of the writer to
be considered an alarmist. The facts are those which have
come under his personal observation. The inference is but a
plain and natural deduction. End of section fifty five. Recording
(55:37):
by Mina. Anderson, Washington, d C.
Section fifty five of the History of Prostitution. This is
a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org.
Recording by Mina Anderson. The History of Prostitution by William Sanger,
Section fifty five, Chapter thirty six, New York Extent, Effects
(00:26):
and cost of prostitution, Part one. Number of public prostitutes,
opinion of Chief of Police in eighteen fifty six. Effects
on prostitution of commercial panic of eighteen fifty seven, extravagant
surmises Police investigation of May eighteen fifty eight. Private prostitutes,
(00:54):
aggregate prostitution visitors from the suburbs of New York strangers,
proportion of prostitutes to population. Syphilis, danger of infection, increase
of venereal disease. Statistics of cases treated in Island Hospital
(01:17):
Blackwell's Island, primary syphilis and its indications. Cases of venereal
disease in public institutions alms House, Workhouse, Penitentiary, Bellevue Hospital,
(01:37):
Nursery Hospital, Randall's Island, Emigrants Hospital, Ward's Island, New York
City Hospital, dispensaries, medical colleges, King's County Hospital, Brooklyn City Hospital,
Siemens Retreatsdden Island. Summary of cases treated in public institutions,
(02:05):
private treatment advertisers, patent medicines, drug stores, aggregate of venereal disease,
probabilities of infection, cost of prostitution, capital invested in houses
of prostitution and assignation, dancing saloons, etc. Income of prostitutes,
(02:34):
individual expenses of visitors, medical expenses, vagrancy and pauper expenses,
police and judiciary expenses. Correspondence with leading cities of the
United States. Estimated prostitution throughout the Union, Remarks on Tades,
(02:57):
prostitution in Edinburgh unfounded estimates, National statistics of population, births, education, occupation, wages, pauperism, crime,
breweries and distilleries, and nativities. The preceding chapters have given
(03:19):
a statistical and descriptive account of prostitution in New York.
Before considering what measures can be best applied for the
amelioration of its accompanying evils, it will be necessary to
ascertain the extent of the system, and this inquiry must
include the number of abandoned women in the city and
the amount of venereal infection propagated through their agency. It
(03:43):
has been assumed in these pages that the two thousand
women whose replies form the basis of the statistical tables
represent about one third of the aggregate prostitution of New York.
This is allowing an increase of twenty percent during the
winner of eighteen fifty seven to eighteen fifty eight, in
(04:03):
consequence of the commercial panic of last autumn and the
resulting paralysis of trade and suffering of the labouring community.
In the progress of this investigation, it was deemed advisable
to consult those whose acquaintance with the details of city
life would entitle their opinions to confidence as to the
actual number of prostitutes within our limits, and in addition
(04:27):
to much information obtained privately. The following correspondence took place
with the then Chief of Police, Resident Physician's Office, Blackwell's Island,
New York, September one, eighteen fifty six, George W. Matzell Esquire,
Chief of Police, Dear Sir. During the last twenty years,
(04:51):
various estimates have been made by different persons, foreigners and
natives interested and not interested, as to the number of
prostitutes in the city of ne us, it is generally
supposed that they reach the large number of twenty five
or thirty thousand. You, sir, have been at the head
of the police department of the city for the past
(05:12):
fifteen years, while previous to that time you acted, if
I mistake not, as one of the police justices of
the city. I presume therefore that you have a considerable
knowledge of prostitution as it exists here, and consequently can
give a very correct opinion as to the number of
prostitutes in New York City. You will greatly oblige me if,
(05:33):
at your earliest leisure, and in any form most convenient
to yourself, you will state what you believe to be
the total number of prostitutes now in the city. It
is proper to add that, with your permission, I intend
to publish this letter with your answer in the report
on prostitution, which I am preparing and shall soon have
(05:54):
the honor to lay before the public. Yours respectfully, William W. Sasanger,
Resident Physician, Blackwell's Island, Reply, Office of the Chiefs Police,
New York, December twelfth, eighteen fifty six, Doctor William W. Sanger,
Dear Sir, I received your letter asking me to express
(06:17):
in writing my estimate of the whole number of known
public prostitutes in the City of New York. In the
absence of any law compelling the registering of public prostitutes,
it would be very difficult to testify with accuracy to
the exact number of such persons in the city. I
have no hesitancy in stating that, in my opinion, they
do not number over five thousand persons, if indeed they
(06:39):
reach so high a figure. Having been engaged in public
life for many years, my opinion is based on the
observations made by me from time to time, and from
various official reports made to me. You are at liberty
to make such use of this answer to your interrogatory
as you may deem proper very respectfully, you Goo W. Matzel,
(07:03):
Chief of Police. This communication, in addition to the facts
gleaned from other sources, was amply sufficient to warrant the
conclusion that the known public prostitutes in New York did
not exceed five thousand in number at the close of
the year eighteen fifty six. Then ensued the summer with
its artificial inflation, that false prosperity which excites unbounded hopes
(07:27):
and stimulates to measureless extravagance, followed by the revulsion and
panic of the fall and winter. Trade was literally dead.
Operatives never too well paid were threatened with starvation. Females
particularly felt the rigid pressures of the times. In many families,
the embarrassments of the fathers compelled a reduction of the
(07:49):
servants employed, and a large number of domestics were added
to the aggregate of that class already out of situations.
The occupations of the army of seems distresses, dressmakers, milliners,
and tailoresses were suspended, and their struggles for bread were
merged in the general cry for labor. It was in
(08:11):
short a trying time alike for the sufferers and the observers.
But one resort seemed available. The poor, workless, houseless, foodless
woman must have recourse to prostitution as a means of
preserving life. As usual in any time of great excitement,
surmise ran actually wild as to the extent of the
(08:34):
consequences and extravagance. Theories abounded, one gentleman actually stating in
a public meeting that a thousand virtuous girls were becoming
prostitutes every week through sheer starvation, an assertion so appalling
as this is its own refutation. It assumes that one
woman in every hundred of the female population of New
(08:55):
York City between the ages of fifteen and thirty years
became a prostitute every week, And therefore, during the six
months of fall and winter, twenty six thousand women, one
fourth of the inhabitants of the age is named. One
in every four of all the women under middle age
would have been forced into vice. The practice of jumping
(09:19):
at conclusions upon serious matters like this is much to
be reprehended. An exaggerated statement made in the fervor of enthusiasm,
while advocating a benevolent object, must always recoil to the
injury of the cause it is intended to promote. It
will be necessary only to consider for a moment the
(09:40):
financial condition of New York to be convinced that such
an increase of prostitution was impossible. It cannot be denied
that the number of abandoned women is regulated by the demand,
or that the only inducement which could lead virtuous girls
to the course alleged must have been the necessity to
earn money for subsistence. But this necessity to earn money
(10:04):
was felt as strongly by men as by women. The
revulsion for a time left a large portion of the
community without resources. Merchants, manufacturers and storekeepers found their receipts
inadequate to meet their expenditures. Commercial employees, bookkeepers, clerks, salesmen
and agents were discharged. Mechanics in every branch were without
(10:29):
work and consequently without wages. Merchants from other parts of
the country had no money to meet their liabilities or
make fresh purchases, and therefore did not visit the city
as usual. These causes combined to reduce the business of
houses of prostitution, and instead of large accessions to the
(10:49):
ranks of courtesans, many of this very class were forced
to seek a refuge in the public charitable institutions. Hence
arose the increase in the denizens of black Wafle Island,
where hospital, almhouse, workhouse and penitentiary were alike overcrowded. Some
of the places vacated by these recipients of el emotionary
(11:12):
aid were doubtless filled by new recruits, but the supposition
that a thousand were added every week would imply a
change in the whole corps. Every six weeks or a
change nearly five times completed during the fall and winter.
That female virtue was yielded in many instances cannot unfortunately
(11:34):
be doubted. But the sufferers did not become public prostitutes
poor creatures. They surrendered themselves unwillingly to some temporary acquaintance,
probably in gratitude for assistance already rendered, or anticipating aids
to be afforded. There is something truly melancholy in the
consideration that bread had to be purchased at such a
(11:56):
price that the only alternative lay between voluntary dishonour and
killing indigence. It is but charity to conclude that the
woman who thus acted, if her subsequent course was not
a continuous life of abandonment, was impelled by the stern
necessity of the times, rather than induced by a laxity
(12:17):
of moral feeling unchased, as she must be admitted, she
can scarcely be deemed a prostitute in the ordinary acceptation
of the word. The population of New York is now
some thirty or forty thousand more than at that time,
and female degradation has extended as a natural consequence. Relying
(12:38):
upon the estimate of five thousand as correct at the
time made. The subsequent augmentation of inhabitants would suppose an
addition of about three hundred prostitutes. But to take the
wildest scope and assume that the debasement required by hunger
degenerated into a habit of confirmed vice, it may be
(12:58):
admitted that the number of abandoned women in New York
has increased from five thousand in eighteen fifty six to
six thousand in eighteen fifty eight. This is a very
liberal estimate, and the total assigned is certainly not too small.
How much it may be in excess cannot be said
with precision. But in an argument of this nature, it
(13:21):
is safer to err in the direction of overstating and
evil than to be lulled into false security by too
flattering a representation. The known public prostitutes of New York
are thus presumed to amount to six thousand at the
present day, but to this number exceptions might be taken
to secure farther accuracy. Additional evidence was sought. In the
(13:45):
month of May eighteen fifty eight. The assistance of the
Board of Metropolitan Police Commissioners was requested, and, under the
direction of its president, General James w nie to whom
our acknowledgments are respectfully tendered for his courtesy and aid.
A list of queries was submitted to the inspector of
each police precinct. Below is a copy of the circular
(14:07):
with the synopsis of the replies. Copy Office of the
Metropolitan Police Commissioners, New York, May one, eighteen fifty eight.
Inspector blank blank blank, Police Precinct, Sir, you will please
report to this office as early as possible on the
(14:30):
questions given below. Let your answers be full and explicit
to the best of your knowledge and belief. Space is
left below each query for the assertion of your replies,
and you will therefore write them on this sheet and
return it without delay. One how many houses of prostitution,
from the most public to the most private, are there
(14:51):
in your police district? Two? How many houses of vassignation
are there in your district? Three? How many dancing saloons,
liquor and large beer stores are there in your district
where prostitutes are in the habit of assembling in addition
to the known houses of prostitution? Four how many prostitutes
(15:13):
do you suppose reside in your district? Synopsis of replies
Precincts reported by houses of prostitution, houses of assignation, dancing saloons,
liquor or lager beer stores where prostitutes assemble. Estimated number
(15:34):
of prostitutes Precinct one reported by Inspector James Sylvie Houses
of prostitution twenty two, houses of assignation, blank, dancing saloons,
liquor or lagger beer stores. Three. Estimated number of prostitutes
seventy six. Precinct two reported by Inspector Heart B. Weed
(16:02):
Houses of prostitution one, houses of essignation, blank, dancing saloons,
liquor or lagger beer stores. One. Estimated number of prostitutes two.
Precinct three reported by Inspector j. A. P. Hopkins Houses
(16:23):
of prostitution nine, houses of assignation, blank, dancing saloons, liquor
or lagger beer stores blank. Estimated number of prostitutes twenty six.
Precinct four reported by Inspector Morris DeCamp Houses of prostitution
(16:44):
thirty five, houses of assignation thirteen, dancing saloons, liquor or
lagger beer stores eight. Estimated number of prostitutes seven hundred
and fifty Precinct five Inspector Henry Hutchings Houses a prostitution
sixty three of assignation seven, dancing saloons, liquor or Logger
(17:09):
beer stores forty six estimated number of prostitutes four hundred
and twenty Precinct six Acting Inspector Lush Houses of prostitution
fifty two of assignation six dancing saloons, liquor or Lagger
beer stores twelve. Estimated number of prostitutes two hundred and
(17:33):
twenty eight Precinct seven. Inspector John Cameron houses a prostitution six,
Houses of assignation blank, dancing saloons, liquor or lager beer
stores four estimated number of prostitutes one hundred Precinct eight.
(17:54):
Inspector C. S. Turnbull houses a prostitution four forty three
of assignation fifteen dancing saloons, liquor or Logger beer stores. Blank.
Estimated number of prostitutes three hundred Precynct. Nine Inspector Jacob L.
(18:15):
Sebring Houses of prostitution blank of assignation blank, dancing saloons,
liquor or lagger beer stores blank. Estimated number of prostitutes
fifty Precinct ten. Inspector T. C. Davis Houses of Prostitution
twenty six of assignation. One dancing saloons, liquors or lagger
(18:40):
beer stores. Four. Estimated number of prostitutes one hundred Precinct eleven.
Inspector Peter Squires Houses of Prostitution blank of assignation blank,
Dancing saloons, liquor or lagger beer stores twelve estimated number
(19:01):
of prostitutes fifty Precinct twelve. Inspector Gallon P. Border Houses
of Prostitution, blank of assignation blank, Dancing saloons, liquor or
lager beer stores blank. Estimated number of prostitutes blank. Precinct thirteen.
(19:23):
Inspector Thomas Steers Houses of Prostitution fifteen of assignation four
Dancing saloons, liquor or lager beer stores. Eight estimated number
of prostitutes one hundred and fifty Precinct fourteen. Inspector J. J.
Williamson Houses of Prostitution thirty nine of assignation five Dancing saloons,
(19:50):
liquor or lager beer stores. Blank. Estimated number of prostitutes
one hundred and twenty five Precinct fifteen. Inspector G. W.
Dilkiss Houses of Prostitution five of assignation nineteen Dancing saloons,
liquor or lager beer stores seven estimated number of prostitutes
(20:15):
one hundred and seventy five precyinct sixteen. Inspector Samuel Carpenter
Houses of Prostitution six of assignation four dancing saloons, liquor,
et cetera. Ten estimated number of prostitutes five hundred precinct
seventeen Inspector J. W. Hart Houses of Prostitution twenty of
(20:40):
assignation three Dancing saloons, liquor or lager beer stores. Six
estimated number of prostitutes one hundred and fifty precynct. Eighteen
Inspector Theoron R. Bennett Houses of Prostitution one of assignation blank,
(21:03):
Dancing saloons liquor or lager beer stores three estimated number
of prostitutes two hundred and fifty precinct nineteen. Inspector James
Bryan Houses of Prostitution five of assignation one Dancing saloons,
(21:23):
liquor or lagger beer stores. Two estimated number of prostitutes
thirty precinct twenty Inspector F. M. Curry Houses of Prostitution
fifteen of assignation one dancing saloons, liquor or lager beer
stores five estimated number of prostitutes two hundred and fifty.
(21:47):
Precinct twenty one Inspector Francis Speyte Houses of prostitution fifteen
of assignation ten dancing saloons, liquor or lagger beer stores.
Estimated number of prostitutes seventy five. Precinct twenty two Inspector
James E. Colteire Houses of prostitution blank of assignation blank,
(22:14):
dancing saloons, liquor or lager beer stores fourteen estimated number
of prostitutes fifty totals houses of prostitution three hundred and
seventy eight, Houses of assignation eighty nine dancing saloons, liquor
or lager beer stores or prostitutes assemble one hundred and
(22:37):
fifty one. Estimated number of prostitutes three thousand, eight hundred
and fifty seven upon. Some of the reports are notes
which may be extracted. Inspector Sylvie First District says, in
answer to question four, there are two mind knowledge seventy
six common prostitutes living in this precinct. Inspector de Camp
(23:01):
fourth District, says in answer to question four, three hundred
and fifty who reside in houses of prostitution, one hundred
and fifty kept mistresses, one hundred and fifty who reside
in the ward and prostitute themselves in this and other wards,
and probably one hundred occasional prostitutes. Inspector Hutchings fifth District,
(23:24):
in answer to question three clarifies the resorts as dancing rooms,
two saloons, and cigar stores thirty one lager beer stores
thirteen total forty six, and an answer to question four
subdivides the prostitutes into whites three hundred and sixty blacks
(23:47):
sixty four hundred and twenty. Acting Inspector Lush sixth District
says in answer to question four, one hundred and seventy
eight known prostitutes whose names we have supposed to be
at least fifty more residing in the district. Inspector Cameron
seventh District, in answer to question three, classifies the resorts
(24:10):
into logger beer stores three, cigar store one four and
an answer to question four says can give no reliable information.
Probably one hundred. Inspector Seabring ninth District says in answer
to question one, this precinct does not contain any houses
(24:32):
of prostitution that I am aware of, and in reply
to question four, scattered through the precinct there are probably fifty,
Inspector Squire's eleventh District says an answer to question one, none.
Properly speaking, there are many low drinking places where dissipated
persons of both sexes often meet, and where no doubt
(24:55):
prostitution is sometimes practiced, but no regular houses of them character.
To question three, there are about a dozen lager beer
saloons where Dutch girls of loose character assemble and dance
at night. They do not remain long in the same place,
but when driven from one place, they locate in another.
(25:16):
To question four, I presume there are about fifty young
women and married women, some of whom pass for respectable persons,
who are in the habit of going across to the eighth,
fifteenth and other disreputable wards for purposes of prostitution. And
some of the lowest of these are even said to
visit the fifth ward. But I have never been able
(25:38):
to ascertain this fact positively. Inspector Porter twelfth District says,
this precinct comprising all that portion of the island north
of eighty sixth Street is not infested with any of
the evils enumerated in the within questions. Inspector Williamson fourteenth
District says, in answer to question four, I should suppose
(26:03):
about one hundred and twenty five. Inspector Carpenter's sixteenth District
says an answer to question four, it is generally conceded
by those of us who presume to know that there
are in this precinct at least five hundred prostitutes of
all ages, nations, grades, and colors. Inspector Hart seventeenth District
(26:28):
says in answer to question four, this being a hard
question to answer, the answer must be taken as entirely guesswork.
Supposed to be about one hundred and fifty, Inspector Curry
twentieth District says, in answer to question four, probably two
or three hundred. But this is mere guesswork. We know
there are a great many, some of them very young.
(26:51):
Those reports from which no extracts have been made consist
simply of figures without any remarks, and are given fully
in the synopsis. It will be observed that all of
the officers quoted give the number of prostitutes more as
a conjecture than a certainty, and although their avocations would
lead them to know most of the disreputable women in
(27:11):
their several districts, none of them assume to be so
thoroughly informed as to be enabled to answer positively. To
the numbers they give. Must be added the floating prostitute
population of station houses, city and district prisons, hospitals, workhouse,
almshouse and penitentiary, which varies from one thousand to two thousand,
(27:34):
and may be taken at an average of one thousand,
five hundred. This with those known to the police, makes
a total of five thousand, three hundred and fifty seven,
and the balance of six hundred and forty three required
to raise the number to six thousand is but a
moderate allowance for those who have escaped the eyes of
the officers when taking the census. As before remarked, it
(27:57):
is better to overestimate than underestimate the abandoned women of
the city. But to this number are to be added
those whose calling is so effectually disguised as to prevent
its being known, those who practice prostitution in addition to
some legitimate occupation, and those who resort to illicit pleasures
for the indulgence of their passions to obtain information on
(28:21):
these points. Some supplementary questions were addressed to the captains
of the police at the commencement of this investigation in
eighteen fifty six, and their replies are now submitted. The
first inquiry was how many houses of vascignation are there
in your district? It was known when this interrogatory was
propounded that the secrecy maintained in these places would, in
(28:45):
some instances baffle the keenness, not often at fault of
our shrewdest police officers, and no surprise was felt when
the replies indicated that only seventy four of these houses
were known to them. Reliable information from other sources led
to the conviction that this was understated. The investigation of
(29:05):
May eighteen fifty eight fixes the number at eighty nine,
which is also too low, and we shall be perfectly
justified in estimating the number of houses of vassignation in
New York at one hundred. The next question was, what,
to the best of your belief, are the average number
of visitors to such houses every twenty four hours. The
(29:27):
replies gave an average of six couples to each house
every day to an aggregate of six hundred women every
twenty four hours. This was followed by the query or
all the females who visit these houses of vassignation known
public prostitutes? If not, of what class do you suppose
or know them to be? From the replies, it was
(29:47):
found that about two fifths were known as prostitutes, the
remainder being sewing or shop girls, kept mistresses, widows, and
some married women. Again, state your opinion as to he
how many kept mistresses there are in your district. In
the twenty two districts, two hundred sixty eight were ascertained,
(30:08):
and the presumption was that there were more. The number
may be safely taken at four hundred. The next question
was how many women, to the best of your belief,
and that you have not previously examined, are there in
your district that obtain a livelihood in whole or in
part by prostitution? To this the number are stated upon belief,
(30:31):
for the nature of the question precludes any positive information
as about four hundred. Can you form an opinion as
to how many women in your districts who are not
impelled by necessity prostitute themselves to gratify their passions. No
definite answers were obtained to this, the general suppositions ranging
from one third to one fourth of those who were
(30:52):
not recognized as public prostitutes. To what extent, in your opinion,
is prostitution carried on in the tenant houses in your disast?
It is generally admitted that there is some, but no
calculation can be made with any accuracy. Many of what
may be called private prostitutes live in this class of houses,
but their visitors would be taken to houses of vassignation,
(31:14):
where the numbers are included in the estimate given. It
is believed that there are many women who follow prostitution,
living in nearly all the respectable portions of the city.
They singly, or in couples, hire a suite of rooms,
and under the garb of honest labor, sewing, et cetera,
passes respectable among those living near them. It is also
(31:37):
known that such as these are the great frequenters of
houses of vassignation. How many such women, to the best
of your belief, are there in your district? The officers
reply was that they have ascertained that there are about
two hundred but they believe there are many more. Thus
much for the information we have been enabled to collect.
(31:58):
There are six hundred women who visit these houses of
assignation every day, of whom two fits are known as
public prostitutes, and the remainder are of other classes. It
may be assumed that the known prostitutes visit such houses
at least once every twenty four hours, which leaves over
three hundred visits daily. For the others, kept mistresses or
(32:21):
married women who resort there for the gratification of their
passions probably amount to one hundred per day. It can
scarcely be supposed that such visit houses of assignation more
than once a week as a general rule, while the
others sewing or shop girls, et cetera, who resort there
to augment their income, would probably take this step two
(32:42):
or three times per week, which would bring their number
to about four hundred. It thus appears that a very
fair estimate of the total number of frail women who
are now in New York may be stated as follows.
Known public prostitutes six thousand women who visit houses of
assect nation for sexual gratification. One thousand, two hundred and
(33:04):
sixty women who visit houses a vacignation to augment their
income four hundred one half the number of kept mistresses,
assuming the other have to be included in those who
visit houses a vasignation two hundred total seven thousand, eight
hundred and sixty. It will be seen that to arrive
(33:25):
at this conclusion, all are included who are suspected to
be lost to virtue. Although of the number who visit
houses a vacignation for sexual gratification, many are guiltless of
promiscuous intercourse. This total number falls very far short of
the estimates made at different times by various persons that
(33:46):
there are from twenty to thirty thousand prostitutes in New
York City. Such rash conclusions, hastily formed in the excitement
of the moment, sometimes influenced by the fact that the
wish is father to the thought, give place to the
result of a careful, in searching investigation made for this
special purpose. The modus operandi of examination in the city
(34:08):
rendered it incumbent on those having it in charge to
approximate to the facts, and is itself a sufficient guarantee
of correctness. If it were possible to parade the six
thousand known public prostitutes in one procession. They would make
a much larger demonstration than the mere printed words six
thousand suggests to the reader. It requires a man who
(34:32):
is in the habit of seeing large congregations of persons
to comprehend at a glance the aggregate implied in this statement.
Place this number of women in line, side by side,
and if each was allowed only twenty four inches of room,
they would extend two miles and four hundred and eighty yards.
Let them march up Broadway in single file and allow
(34:54):
each woman thirty six inches, and that is as little
room as possible, considering the requires its space for locomotion,
and they would reach from the City Hall to fortieth Street.
Or let them all ride in the ordinary city stages,
which carry twelve passengers each, and it would be necessary
to charter five hundred omnibuses for their conveyance. These simple
(35:16):
illustrations will make the extent of the vice plane to
many who could form but an adequate idea from the
mere figures. Yet the estimate will probably appear low to
those residents of the city who have been accustomed to
believe New York reeking with prostitution in every hole and corner,
while it would seem excessively large to readers residing in
(35:36):
the country. For the information of the latter, it may
be remarked that vicious as Manhattan Island unquestionably is, much
as there may be in it to need reform in
this manner of prostitution, it must not bear all the
blame for these six thousand women, for although they certainly
reside in it, a very large number of their visitors
(35:56):
do not dwell there. Brooklyn, the Village on Long Eye Island,
Fort Hamilton, New Utrek, Flushing, and others Jersey City, Hobokan,
Hudson's Staten Island, Morrisania, Fordham, et cetera. Contain numbers of
people who transact their daily business in New York, but
(36:16):
reside in those places. And very few of these localities
are any prostitutes to be found, nor would they be
encouraged therein while New York is so close at hand
and so easy of access. Again, the strangers flocking into
the city from all parts of the world average from
five to twenty thousand and upward every day, and they
(36:38):
must relieve it of some part of this Oblookey The
population of New York at the last census eighteen fifty
five was officially stated to be in round numbers six
hundred and thirty thousand, and the proportionate increase for three
years to the extend time will bring it very near
seven hundred thousand. If elicit intercourse here were carried on
(37:02):
only by permanent residents, its proportion of public prostitutes would
be one to every one hundred and seventeen of the inhabitants.
But the calculation must include the denizens of the places
already enumerated and adding five hundred thousand for them, and
the number of strangers constantly visiting the city. We have
a total of one million, two hundred thousand persons, making
(37:26):
the proportion of prostitutes only one in every two hundred,
including men, women, and children. It is desirable, however, to
ascertain what proportion courtisans bear to the classes who patronize them,
and the census shows that males above the age of
fifteen form about thirty two percent of the population. A
(37:47):
wider range might have been taken, as it is notorious
that many boys under fifteen years old, especially among the
lower classes, practice the vice. But assuming that to be
the standard there is one prostitute to every sixty four
adult males, certainly not a large proportion in a commercial
and maritime city. It is impossible to form any idea
(38:10):
of the proportion of male inhabitants and visitors who encourage
houses of prostitution. Marriage is not always attract to indiscriminate intercourse,
and professions of religion are often violated for illicit gratification. Still,
there are a vast number whom these obligations bind, and
if they could be exactly ascertained, this would make a
(38:31):
corresponding difference in the proportions. As the case now is,
New York City stands somewhat in the position of a
seduced woman and has to endure all the odium attached
to the number of prostitutes residing within her limits, while
her neighbors and strangers, who largely participate in the offense
are like seducers and escape all censure, self righteously saying
(38:54):
how virtuous is our own town or village compared with
that sink of iniquity. It has been already stated that
the effect would be if all visitors of New York
were moral men, And although the remark need not be repeated.
Its oppositiveness is apparent from the prostitutes within our borders
(39:15):
emanates the plague of syphilis, and when the number of
abandoned women is considered in conjunction with the certainty that
each of them is liable at any moment to contract
and extend the malady. When the probabilities of such extension
are viewed in connection with the acknowledged fact that each
prostitute in New York receives from one to ten visitors
(39:35):
every day, instances are known where the maximum exceeds and
sometimes doubles the highest number here given, there can be
no reasonable doubt of the danger of infection, nor any
surprise that the average life of prostitutes is only four years.
The actual extent of venereal disease must be the first
(39:56):
point of inquiry, and here the records of public institutions
are great service. The hospitals on Blackwell's Island, under the
charge of the Governors of the Almshouse, present the largest
array of cases, the principal part of which were treated
in the penitentiary now Island Hospital. The number of these
(40:16):
cases was in eighteen fifty four one thousand, five hundred
and forty one, eighteen fifty five, one thousand, five hundred,
seventy nine, eighteen fifty six, one thousand, six hundred and
thirty nine, eighteen fifty seven, two thousand and ninety. Upon
(40:38):
these facts, the writer of these pages remarked in his
annual report to the Board of Governors for eighteen fifty six,
the ratio of venereal disease on the gross number of
patients treated in eighteen fifty four was thirty seven and
four tenths of a percent. The ratio of the same
disease in eighteen fifty five was fifty eight and seven
(41:01):
tenths of a percent, showing an increase in the year
eighteen fifty five of twenty one and three tenths percent.
The ratio of venereal disease on the gross number of
patients treated during eighteen fifty six was seventy three one
tenth percent, showing an increase in eighteen fifty six as
(41:21):
compared with eighteen fifty five of fourteen four ten percent,
or an increase as compared with eighteen fifty four of
thirty five seven tenths percent. This steady increase twenty one
three tenths percent in one year and fourteen four tenths
percent in the next or thirty five seven tenths percent
(41:44):
within two years, may be considered an incontrovertible proof of
the progress of this malady in the city of New York.
The fact that the people regard the penitentiary hospital as
a duneur resort, an institution to which nothing but the
direst necessity will compelled them to apply, justifies the conclusion
that the cases treated are but a fraction of the
(42:05):
disease existing, and its increase here may be taken as
a sure indication of a corresponding or a larger increase
among the general population. Again, on the same subject, in
eighteen fifty seven, in my last report, I took the
opportunity to submit to your honorable Board facts proving the
increase of venarial disease, and I then gave the ratio
(42:28):
of that malady on the gross number of patients treated
as seventy three one tenth percent. In the year eighteen
fifty seven, the ratio was sixty five two tenths percent.
But this reduction of seven nine tenths percent must be
considered in connection with the fact that other diseases much
beyond the general average have been treated in the last year,
(42:50):
so that a larger number of venarial cases will yet
show a smaller percentage. The cases of phythis pulmonellis consumption,
which have advanced from fifty eight in eighteen fifty six
to one hundred and fifty nine in eighteen fifty seven,
sufficiently explained that the decrease of venereal affections is apparent
(43:11):
and not real. An investigation beyond the statistics upon which
these remarks are based, and including the Penitentiary Hospital, Almshouse,
Workhouse and Penitentiary, had shown that of the total number
admitted to these several institutions, fifty nine and a half
percent had suffered or were suffering from venereal disease at
(43:32):
the time the inquiry was made. Of this proportion, forty
five percent of the total were suffering directly at the
time of investigation, and nineteen percent were suffering indirectly or
in non professional language, were laboring under disease more or
less consequent on the syphilitic taint.
Speaker 2 (43:51):
The following detailed statistics of venereal disease treated in the
Penitentiary Hospital for four years ending December thirty first, eighteen
fiftyfty seven will be found to embrace many subjects which
have been alluded to in these pages. Total number of
patients treated eighteen fifty four, four thousand, fifty eight, eighteen
(44:13):
fifty five.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
Two thousand, six hundred fifty seven.
Speaker 2 (44:18):
Eighteen fifty six, two thousand, eighty three, eighteen fifty seven,
three thousand, one hundred fifty eight Cases of primary syphilis
eighteen fifty four, six hundred and six fifty five, six
hundred sixty fifty six, six hundred fifty fifty seven, eight
(44:39):
hundred eighty two Cases of secondary and other forms of
syphilis eighteen fifty four, nine hundred thirty five fifty five,
nine hundred, nineteen fifty six, nine hundred eighty nine fifty seven,
one thousand, two hundred eight. Total of cephilitic diseases eighteen
(45:03):
fifty four, one thousand, five hundred forty one fifty five,
one thousand, five hundred seventy nine fifty six one thousand,
six hundred thirty nine fifty seven two thousand, ninety nativities
natives of United States eighteen fifty four, four hundred, ten
(45:26):
fifty five, four hundred eighty nine fifty six, five hundred
thirty one fifty seven, six hundred seventy three foreigners eighteen
fifty four one thousand, one hundred thirty one, fifty five,
one thousand, ninety fifty six, one thousand, one hundred eight
(45:49):
fifty seven, one thousand, four hundred seventeen total eighteen fifty
four one thousand, five hundred forty one, fifty five, one thousand,
five hundred seventy nine, fifty six, one thousand, six hundred
thirty nine fifty seven, two thousand, ninety Ages under sixteen
(46:12):
years eighteen fifty four sixty five, fifty five, seventy two,
fifty six, seventy seven, fifty seven sixty eight from sixteen
years to twenty years, eighteen fifty four four hundred eighty
one fifty five, four hundred fifty seven fifty six, four
(46:35):
hundred seventy two, fifty seven, five hundred ninety three. From
twenty one years to twenty five years. Eighteen fifty four
four hundred ninety fifty five, four hundred eighty one, fifty six,
four hundred ninety four fifty seven, six hundred thirty one
(46:56):
from twenty six years to thirty years. Eighteen fifty four
three hundred, fourteen fifty five three hundred four fifty six,
three hundred eleven fifty seven, four hundred twenty three from
thirty one years to forty years, eighteen fifty four, one hundred,
(47:17):
twenty eight, fifty five, one hundred, fifty one, fifty six,
one hundred sixty five fifty seven, one hundred ninety from
forty one years to fifty years eighteen fifty four, forty two,
fifty five, ninety nine, fifty six, one hundred and one
(47:41):
fifty seven, one hundred fifty seven from fifty one years
and upward eighteen fifty four, twenty one, fifty five, fifteen
fifty six, nineteen fifty seven, twenty eight total eighteen fifty
four one one thousand, five hundred, forty one, fifty five,
(48:03):
one thousand, five hundred seventy nine, fifty six, one thousand,
six hundred thirty nine fifty seven, two thousand, ninety education
Good eighteen fifty four, one hundred seventy five, fifty five,
two hundred, twenty seven, fifty six, two hundred thirty one
(48:26):
fifty seven, one hundred seventy five, Imperfect eighteen fifty four,
seven hundred eighty seven, fifty five, seven hundred ninety four
fifty six, eight hundred thirty fifty seven, one thousand, one
hundred sixty one uneducated eighteen fifty four, five hundred seventy
(48:50):
nine fifty five, five hundred fifty eight fifty six, five
hundred seventy eight fifty seven, seven hundred fifty four total
eighteen fifty four one thousand, five hundred forty one fifty five,
one thousand, five hundred seventy nine fifty six, one thousand,
(49:12):
six hundred thirty nine fifty seven, two thousand, ninety from
the total number of venereal patients under treatment eighteen fifty
four one thousand, five hundred forty one, eighteen fifty five,
one thousand, five hundred seventy nine, eighteen fifty six one thousand,
(49:32):
six hundred thirty nine, eighteen fifty seven, two thousand, ninety
deduct those discharged each year eighteen fifty four one thousand,
two hundred fifty three fifty five, one thousand, three hundred
sixteen fifty six, one thousand, three hundred eighty nine fifty seven,
(49:54):
one thousand, seven hundred ten, leaving to add to the
next year's account. Eighteen fifty twenty four two hundred eighty
eight fifty five two hundred sixty three, fifty six, two
hundred fifty fifty seven, three hundred eighty of the numbers discharged.
The following is the result treatment cured eighteen fifty four,
(50:18):
eight hundred seventy four fifty five, one thousand, fifty one
fifty six, one thousand, two hundred one fifty seven, one thousand,
four one hundred ninety one relieved, eighteen fifty four, three
hundred seventy fifty five, two hundred sixty three fifty six,
(50:39):
one hundred eighty three fifty seven, two hundred thirteen not
relieved eighteen fifty four, seven fifty five, blank, fifty six blank,
fifty seven one died eighteen fifty four, two fifty five,
(51:00):
fifty six, five fifty seven five Total eighteen fifty four,
one thousand, two hundred fifty three fifty five, one thousand,
three hundred, sixteen fifty six, one thousand, three hundred eighty
nine fifty seven, one thousand, seven hundred ten. Duration of
(51:22):
treatment five days and under eighteen fifty four, thirteen fifty five,
sixteen fifty six, seventeen fifty seven eighty three six days
to ten days, eighteen fifty four, fifty seven, fifty five
thirty six, fifty six, sixty eight fifty seven, one hundred
(51:47):
two eleven days to twenty days. Eighteen fifty four eighty
fifty five, fifty nine, fifty six, eighty one, fifty seven seven,
one hundred thirty one, twenty one days to thirty days.
Eighteen fifty four one hundred, fifty four fifty five, one hundred,
(52:10):
twenty one, fifty six, one hundred thirty seven, fifty seven,
one hundred eighty seven one month to two months. Eighteen
fifty four two hundred ninety three fifty five, three hundred
thirty three fifty six, four hundred fifty three fifty seven,
five hundred twenty eight, two months to three months. Eighteen
(52:34):
fifty four three hundred four fifty five, four hundred forty
three fifty six, three hundred forty fifty seven, three hundred
twenty eight, three months to four months. Eighteen fifty four
two hundred twenty fifty five, two hundred forty five fifty six,
(52:56):
two hundred seven fifty seven, two hundred six sixty four
months and upward. Eighteen fifty four one hundred thirty two,
fifty five, sixty three, fifty six, eighty six, fifty seven,
ninety one total eighteen fifty four one thousand, two hundred
(53:17):
fifty three fifty five, one thousand, three hundred, sixteen fifty
six one thousand, three hundred eighty nine fifty seven one thousand,
seven hundred ten. Some few remarks may be made on
the subject of primary syphilis. The proportion of the cases
of this malady to the gross number of patients treated
(53:39):
was in eighteen fifty four fourteen nine tenths percent, eighteen
fifty five twenty five, two tenths percent, eighteen fifty six
thirty one and two tenths of a percent, eighteen fifty seven,
twenty seven and nine tenths of a percent. By the
term primary seven, non professional readers will understand the commencement
(54:04):
of the disease or symptoms, which are the direct consequence
of an impure connection, in contradistinction to secondary syphilis, which
is the comparatively remote result of infection, never appearing until
after the primary symptoms are well developed, and frequently not
until all traces of them are removed. He will thus
(54:24):
see that every case of primary syphilis is in itself
a proof of recent intercourse with a diseased person. These
cases then have increased from fifteen percent in eighteen fifty
four to thirty one and one fourth of a percent
in eighteen fifty six and twenty eight percent in eighteen
fifty seven. The remarks recently quoted explain how eight hundred
(54:48):
eighty two cases in eighteen fifty seven make a smaller
percentage than six hundred fifty in eighteen fifty six. The
fact of this increase compels us to but one cond inclusion,
and that is a very important and suggestive one, namely,
that commerce with prostitutes in eighteen fifty seven was attended
with nearly twice the risk of infection incurred in eighteen
(55:12):
fifty four, and of course the health of abandoned women
has deteriorated in the same proportion. This is not said
with any wish on the part of the writer to
be considered an alarmist. The facts are those which have
come under his personal observation. The inference is but a
plain and natural deduction. End of section fifty five. Recording
(55:37):
by Mina. Anderson, Washington, d C.
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