VENEREAL DISEASES.

Northern Advocate, 29 August 1919, Page 2

VENEREAL DISEASES.

AN OUTSPOKEN LECTURE.

BY DR. FLORENCE KELLER,

Dr. Florence Keller's clear voice was heard easily by all the women of different ages who filled the <M«thodist Church to overflowing last night. Mrs .Dent (Mayoress) presided, and the interested and attentive audience listened while the Dr. told them, how venereal disease had been known&in all ages, gonorrhoea dating back 10 the days of the Old Testament; how evidently of the same nature is the description of a disease which is scribed in Levticus 11. She pointed out that this disease is not hereditary and- can be quickly, cured if taken hi time; that the greatest cause of its spreading was (1) want'of know ledge; (2) failure to carry out treat ment; (3) the veil of secrecy which aids the spreading of the disease.

Dr. Keller said that though in many cases the disease- was caused by immorality, it could be transmitted 'to 'perfectly . innocent people by contact. The lecturer pointed out the desirability of separate drinking vessels, or bubbling fountains in schools, also the more complete cleansing of cups, vessels, etc., in bars and restaurants.

Syphilis, the greatest scourge of the known venereal diseases, the Dr. dwelt on at great length, pointing .out how the disease could ,be coped with in the primary stage. Lantern slides were shown to describe the terrible and far-reaching consequences of this disease if neglected, the d»n----g( J r to posterity, etc.

Dr. Keller pointed out that one of thi' dreadful results of this disease was sterility and* the denying to women of their natural right to bear children. Oftentimes . the womon herself was unaware of how this condition caitae about.

Slides were shown depicting diseases to the eye in children, caused by hereditary syphilis, also blindness in adults. The lecturer pointed i.ut that syphilis had been known-.-<since. 1494, and had occurred in epidemic form in that year when Charles VIII. King of France, invaded Italy. Hβ left Rome for Naples on January 2s, and reached there on February 21, 1495. After a time the Spanish the Neapolitan armies tried to drive Charles VIII back to France. Syphilis broke out in the armies, which carried it to all of Europe. It was called in those days "Morbus Gallicus" (Death of France), and "Mai de Naples" (Disease of Naples). Columbus is supposed to have brought the same disease back from the, In dians, but Oviedo never proved'this statement

Dr. Keller pointed out whatgreat strides had been made in science in combating these diseases, and how the Government were doing all in their power to enlighten the people of N>W Zealand and stamp out these di seases.

Dr. Keller, although she showed slides, etc., dealing exhaustively with these .spoke ,im £0 na-*.., tural and simple a:manner that h«r lecture must have been quite understandable to the youngest or eldest present. Her lectures ought to be a great help to women throughojut New Zealand, teaching them not only to • guard their daughters, but their sons, and their sons and daughters' children against these scourges..

At the close of the meeting a hearty vote of thanks to Dr. Florence Keller was proposed by the Mayoress, which was warmly responded to, and a vote of thanks was also accorded to Mrs Clark for, her help. A silver collection was taken up to defray expenses.