SOLDIERS AND DISEASE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2407, 12 March 1915, Page 6

SOLDIERS AND DISEASE

, . OPINION. OF MEDICAL MEN. Very great importance is being attached by the Commonwealth Government to the fact that certain soldiers are being sent back from Egypt suffering from venereal disease. Some time ago the Minister of Defonce announced that such men were to be isolated, and to be kept compulso'rily under treatment until they were cured. This courso has been taken for the sake of the community in general, and is heartily en-dorsed-by medical men. Special reference to the matter is made, in the latest issue of the' "Medical Journal, of Australia," which takes a very grave view of the'state of affairs arising from the fact that Australian troops have been sent to Egypt to continue • their training. Apparently there lurked in Cairo an unsuspected", although terrible, danger to the manhood and health of the troops. In a letter to tho "Journal" Lieutenant-Colonel John B. Nash, M.D., M.S., says"Another warning wire has come from Cairo, telling of tho large number of cases and the virulence of the venereal diseases. Special instructions have been given by senior officers .to every man. It is to be hoped that notice will be taken, and much trouble averted to the individual and the outfit as a whole." Apparently the instructions and warnings were not heeded by certain men, W-over.. A leading article in tho same "Journal" states: —"A number of our men who volunteered to fight for their country are now returning, not wounded but invalided by syphilis. These men, instead of serving their country in a useful manner, and instead of making sacrifices which, when made, lend splendour to the Empire on which the .sun never sets, have wasted their country's money, have,: soiled their country s name," and are, or might bo,. but for the foresight of those in power a disgraceful danger to the welfare of the population at home. A member of the first contingent' from Australia states that there were 200 of our soldiers under treatment for'venereal disease at one time, and he makes the astounding statement that 10 per cent, of the whole force has been infected since leaving our shores. If this be in accord with fact the safeguards which a,re being, adopted by the military and civil authorities will be insufficient when the war is oyer, and the men return;" The article adds that it is a well-known fact that after a war the men are looked on by the women as heroes all, and after tho Cuban war were petted and caressed to an extravagant extent, and adds that unless_ facts are faced the fruits of British, victory will be discounted by a heavy entry on the other side. It adds:-"In regard to the men returning invalided with _ syphilis little danger exists. The military authorities have arranged that no soldier will be allowed to land before he has been examined with care. _ Those m a contagious state will be detained in hospital at Mclbourno until infectivity has been removed. The Quarantine Department will deal with men returning in civilian dress, arresting them under the Immigration Act, and placing them in ouarantine .until free from danger to others. The article states that the Quarantine Department _ has already dealt with at least three instances.