Were originally passed by the British Parliament in 1864, with alterations and editions made in 1866 and 1869. In 1862, a committee was established to inquire into venereal disease (sexually transmitted infections) in the armed forces within Britain and the British forces serving overseas. On its recommendation the first Contagious Diseases Act was passed. The legislation allowed police officers to arrest women suspected of being prostitutes in certain ports and army towns. The women were then subjected to compulsory checks for venereal disease. If a woman was declared to be infected, she would be confined in what was known as a lock hospital until she recovered or her sentence finished. Period gradually extended to one year with the 1869 Act. However, no provision was made for the examination of men.