THE VENEREAL MENACE

Evening Star, Issue 17921, 17 March 1922, Page 3

THE VENEREAL MENACE

WARNING BY MEDICAL MEN

[Special to the ‘ Star. ’]

CHRISTCHURCH, .March 17,

Dr P. C. Fenwick, a member of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, and Dr Alfred Sandston, president of Lie Social Hygiene Society, write to the newspapers appealing to their fellow-citizens for earnest consideration of the venereal menace. They say: “New Zealand has done much to educate the public as to the dangers of consumption ; much has been done to alleviate the miseries of patients infected with this disease, and no country can show a better record of care in this matter. Unfortunately, the public apparently view the much more serious scourge of venereal disease with indifference. “ The fathers and mothers of to-day surely ought to view with consternation the presence of a disease that leaves its traces from generation to generation. We owe a duty to the children who are to follow us as citizens of New Zealand, and if we look with apathy on the spread of this scourge wo are betraying our trust. From July, 1917, to July, 1921, 564 new cases wore treated in Christchurch Hospital. This number only represents a percentage of the total cases, and does not, of course, include those who treated themselves or were attended by private medical practitioners.

“As members of the medical profession we honestly believe a determined national effort could eradicate venereal disease from New Zealand, and could prevent reinfection from overseas sources. In this belief we would suggest that the local members of Parliament be urged to obtain a Government commissio i to inquire into the prevalence of venereal disease, the best way to eradicate it, and the wisest way to prevent the immigration of infected poisons into tits country.”