VEILED DISEASE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2975, 12 January 1917, Page 6

VEILED DISEASE

A DELICATE PROBLEM GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE "EXPOSE IT TO DAYLIGHT " An interesting speech on the subject of the Oovernmcnt's attitude toward the problem of venereal disease was delivered by tho Health Minister (the Hon. G. W. .llussell) at yesterday's sitting of tho Hospitals' Conference. The 'subject was introduced when Mr. F. Horrell. a Canterbury delegate, moved:— "That with a view to the conduct 'of a thorough campaign against venereal disease tho Government bo recommended to make notification of such disease compulsory." « . Mr..Horrell said that the dire effects of this dread disease should bo made known. Ignorance of it should bo dispelled. A change of policy was needed. It was no use pursuing the policy of suppressing everything concerning venereal disease if the tiling was to ibe stamped out. It should be made a notifiable disease. Tho gloves should bo taken off to fight this evil. Unveil it. The Hon. G. W. Russell said he was convinced that the way to deal with venereal disease was to pull it out from the shadow and exnoso it in tlib daylight. Of late this had been done, and the problem was now discussed by puro men and women. The idea that it should bo dealt with in secret had been dispelled. Probably the ahlest medical commission which ever sat had reported on this question in the last twelve months. ■ That commission took ovidence not only in Britain, but also in Germany, Belgium, France, etc. It took evidence from countries where notification was compulsory and where it was not compulsory, and in tho end it gavo the recommendation that venereal disease should not bo mado notifiable. Mr. Russell announced for the first timo that somo exceedingly able papers on tho subject had been received from the Local Government Board, and when he had seen that the literature could bo adopted in globo for Now Zealand ho had cabled to tho High Commissioner to ask the Chairman of the Local Government Board (the Hon. Walter Long) for permission ib circulate the matter. Consent had been given, and'as soon as possible the circulation would f bo made. Mr. Horrell had not drawn the distinction which existed in the public mind between venereal disease and notifiable diseases. There was. a.certain shamo attaching to'the former, and people would not care to give notice .'it. l The dis-ease-could be contracted quito innocently—say, when travelling, by coming into contact with contaminated '-articles —but'would; people who -thus - became afflicted liko ( to mako tho fact of their infection known? , The one thing was for a victim) to get treatment as soon as possible, and got cured. But if the diseaso was made notifiable, it was going to be driven underground.. People would not go to a doctor for fear ho would notify, and wo would havo quacks hanging out their shingles as they used to do in days done by. A delegate:. Won't people go to quacks now? Mr. Russell: No. Difficulty Illustrated. In Christchurch Bomo jears ago, Mr. Russell continued, -there was a family which included several innocent little girls. To the family there went as servant a woman afflicted with syphilis. The woman used tho towels, etc., the others used, and in the courso of time everyone in tho house acquired the disease. Did anyone think the parents of those children should havo boen forced to notify? Mr. Maslin (Canterbury): What about tho woman who took the disease thero? She would never have got employment in the house had the disease been notifiable. Mr. llussell: .Well, yes, that point is worthy of consideration. Mr. Maslin:. The object of notification is to safeguard the public. Mr. Russell: You will not suggest •that in the case of that woman servant she should havo been notified in the newspapers. Sir. Maslin: If necessary for the protection of tho public, .ves. Mr. Russell said he was prepared to go tho whole distance if tho powers given respecting people found , to he a danger to tho health of the community. It was a difficult subject, and lie did not wish •to_ go ahead of public opinion.. Public opinion was very sensitive on the subject. In other words, tho country would not have anything in the shape of the old CD'. Act. It was well to understand that nothing of that kind could be done, and that anything approaching it would be regarded as inimical to the interests of the women of tho Dominion. However, the Department was watching the subject carefully. .Everything that might ba of use was perused. He could not , see his way at present to have venereal dispaso proclaimed. The Rev. H. Van Stave'ren said one of the best things to do was to oisseminato knowledge. He thought the Minister and the Department were doing all that could be done at present. Mr. Bellringer (New Plymouth) asked if lectures enuld he. given to youths at military-drill. That would I-β a means of spreading knowledge. Mr. Russell: The camns are entirely out of my control, but I sugeest that a communication be sent to the Minister of Defence making the suggestion. Remit Withdrawn. Mr. Maslin said that personally he was in favour of notification, but, after hearing the Minister's statement of his attitude, he thought the remit should be withdrawn. Mr. Hovrell: I don't intend to press it. Mr. Maslin: I think the instances niven l>v the Minister prove the case for notification. If that servant.woman had been notified those inhncent children would have been saved. Mr. Russell: Ton would have to notify those innocent children, too. What would their position be in after years when they came to get married ? Mr. Maslin: I would have everyone notify to protect the innocent and tl e pure. Mr. Corry (Wairau) moved, as «.n amendment, that with a view to the conduct of a thorough campaign against venereal disease tho Government should be asked to. reintroduce tho CD. Act. Mr. Maslin said ho was surprised tlvit in 1917 there were men at thr conference or in the country thai would ask for tho reintroduction of the CD. Act, an infamous measure l<: protect immoral men and degrade women. Fiiiiillv, a resolution was agreed upon in this form: "That with n. view to tlie conduct of a thorough campaign against venereal disease, tho Government he assured of the support of Hie hospital boards."