A Lock Hospital was a hospital that specialised in treating venereal diseases. They operated in Britain and its colonies and territories from the 18th century to the 20th. The military had a close association with a number of the hospitals. By the mid 19th century most of the larger army bases in India were home to a lock hospital. In 1858 the Admiralty

Admiralty

The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...

 paid to have one opened in Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...

 and in 1863 another in Plymouth

Plymouth

Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...

.