In the Indian Legislative Assembly of 1922, the following evidence, introduced from the floor of the House as descriptive of the conditions of the day, aroused neither question nor opposition from any one of the assembled Indian legislators. The fact that, although thirty-one years old, it still remained beyond challenge, carries a contributing significance. The evidence submitted consists of a list, compiled in 1891 by the western women doctors then practicing in India, and by them laid before the Viceroy, with a petition for intervention on behalf of the children of India. It is made up, they affirm, entirely of instances that have come under the hands of one or another of their own number, and whose like are continually revealed in their ordinary professional experience.
- Aged 9. Day after marriage. Left femur dislocated, pelvis crushed out of shape, flesh hanging in shreds.
- Aged 10. Unable to stand, bleeding profusely, flesh much lacerated.
- Aged 9. So completely ravished as to be almost beyond surgical repair. Her husband had two other living wives and spoke very fine English.
- Aged 10. A very small child, and entirely undeveloped physically. This child was bleeding to death from the rectum. Her husband was a man of about forty years of age, weighing not less than eleven stone [154 lbs.]. He had accomplished his desire in an unnatural way.
- Aged about 9. Lower limbs completely paralyzed.
- Aged about 12. Laceration of the perineum extending through the sphincter ani.
- Aged about 10. Very weak from loss of blood. Stated that great violence had been done her, in an unnatural way.
- Aged about 12. Pregnant, delivered by crani-otomy with great difficulty, on account of the immature state of the pelvis and maternal passage.
- Aged about 7. Living with husband. Died in great agony after three days.
- Aged about 10. Condition most pitiable. After one day in hospital, was demanded by her husband, for his "lawful" use, he said.
- Aged 11. From great violence done her person, will be a cripple for life. No use of her lower extremities.
- Aged about 10. Crawled to hospital on her hands and knees. Has never been able to stand erect since her marriage.
- Aged 9. Dislocation of pubic arch, and unable to stand or to put one foot before the other.
The list will be found in the Legislative Assembly Debates of 1922, Vol. Ill, Part I, p. 919, Appendix. See also p. 882 of the Debates.