‘Horizon’ Report On V.D.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32265, 7 April 1970, Page 3

‘Horizon’ Report On V.D.

Venereal disease or sexually transmitted disease (S.T.D.) as doctors prefer to call it—is on the increase throughout the world: in some I countries it is acknowledged to have reached I epidemic proportions. I In Europe, in 1967, for example, there were 500,000 leases of syphilis and 5m cases of gonorrhoea. Another disease, non-specific urthritis, which afflicts only men, has been recognised since the 1950 s in developed countries. I It, too, is increasing, faster even than gonorrhoea, and is more serious since its cause I is unknown and it can cause crippling complications, even in young men. According to one venereologist who speaks in a “Horizon Report on V.D." on CHTV3 on Wednesday evening, the increase in venereal disease is due in the main to the new permissive society and what he calls the “copulation

explosion.” The programme aims to be a factual and objective report on the situation in Britain, which, in some respects, is not as bad [ as it is elsewhere, though the same rising trends are present. In 1967 in Britain there were 45,000 cases of gonorrhoea—nearly half of them in people under 25. This number represented a 12 per cert increase on the previous year. The programme follows the! progress of . a girl patient one of the special V.D. clinics which are the main centres of treatment. She is a genuine patten* and —for the first time in a television programme on this subject—she faces the camera. Valdhurst W.O.F.F.—Officers elected at the annual meeting of the Yaldburst branch of the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers were: President. Mrs F. C. Chappell; vice-presidents. Mrs T. W. Guy and Mrs E. Campion: secretary, Mrs H. Tomes: treasurer, Mrs W. E. Wright: provincial delegated. Mesdames r: C. Chappell. T. Crawford and T. A. Guy; committee, all members.