VENEREAL DISEASE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 20, 24 January 1924, Page 2

VENEREAL DISEASE

ALARMING INCRIMSES REPORTED IN THE SOUTH.

(II miORAPS PKES3 ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTCHORCH, 23rd Jan. Members of the North Canterbury Hospital Board to-day commented on the increase of cases of venereal disease treated at the Christchurch Hospital. The following figures dealing with cases at the hospital, for December and January ' were submitted: Attendances, December 308, January 568, patients, 110 and 108; new patients, 42 and 35. Dr. Fenwick, chairmaa of the Hospital Committee, said that the Government should take steps to deal with the disease without delay. Mr. \V. E. Leadley said' the figures showed that there were 77 new cases reported at the hospital in the past two months. In- spite' of the Venereal Diseases' Commission's excellent report, nothing had been done; As the board was the first .to urge the appointment of the commission it should try to have the recommendation adopted. It was scandal to have seventy-seven new cases reported afc one hospital in two months. In reply to Mr. Leadley, the chairman said that one lady inspector was employed at present. Mrs., Roberts.- "Are there no men inspectors?"

Dr. Fenwick: "Women have more tact than men. A man who did the work might get a black eye every .minute. The Social Hygiene Society's splendid organisation is doing .what it can, but the Government should take action on the lines of the commission's report." It v was decided to draw the Health Department's attention to the number of cases at Christchurch Hospital, and to ask that the commission's recommendation should be placed before the House of Representatives at the earliest opportunity. ■ ** .