THE SOCIAL DISEASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18172, 18 August 1922, Page 9

THE SOCIAL DISEASE.

ITS INCREASING INCIDENCE.

THE REMEDIES SUGGESTED.

EVIDENCE AT AUCKLAND.

The Venereal Diseases Committee of the Board of Health commenced its sittings in Auckland yesterday. The members of the committee present were:—The Hon. W. H. Trigga, M.L.C., of Christchurch, chairman ; Dr. J. P. Frengley, deputy directorgeneral of health; Sir Donald McGavin, director-general of medical services; Dr. J. S. Elliott, of Wellington; and Lady Luke, of Wellington, Mr. Murdoch Fraser, chairman of the Taranaki Hospital Board, was absent, owing to indisposition. The number of cases of the disease treated by the Auckland clinic, since 1920, was reported upon by the officer-in-charge, Dr. Falconer Brown. Cases of syphilis in men were as follows, the figures relating to women and children being given in parentheses:—ln 1920, 174 (30); 1921, 148 (48); 1922 (7 months), 95 (35); 1922 (computed as for 12 months), 163 (63). A similar return with regard to gonorrhoea was :—1920, 81 (8); 1921, 334 (23); 1922, 224 (21); as for 12 months, 384 (36). The total number of cases treated since January 1. 1920, was 1248. These figures indicated a large incidence of both diseases and an increasing number of cases reporting, especially of gonorrhoea, as the clinio became more commonly known. The excess of syphilis cases in ' 1920 was accounted for by the number of returned soldiers, who received " carry on " treatment, and who were more or less! compelled to attend. Another feature of the figures was the large disproportion between the men who reported for treatment and the women who' did so. Figures quoted by witness indicated, he said, the very groat incidence in the population of longstanding cases, most uncured, and the difficulty "in completely curing these cases, and the fallibility Of a .system of! certificates of cure, as most of these chronic cases were supposed to have been cured. The proportion of cases, in which treatment waa continued until cures were effected, was 80 per cent, in cases of syphilis, and 50 per cent, for gonorrhoea. Means for Combating Disease Dr. Brown considered that if the disease could be brought, with regard to open recognition and education, on an equality with the other infectious diseases, equal success in the lessening of its incidence could be brought about, as in the case of other plagues of mankind. The cloak of mystery and repugnance, whioh surrounded the subject, served only to drive it underground and prevented its early and efficient treatment. If an educational campaign could be instituted, emphasising the dangers of the disease, rather than the opprobrium attaching to it, the public might be led to facing the situation as a vital problem to be dealt with, rather than a skeleton in the cupboard to be hidden away. Dr. Brown considered that compulsory notification, while excellent in theory, was open to question. Prophylaxis, which proved of great value in the Army, was s. thoroughly desirable measure, but at present public opinion wouW probably not countenance it. Clinics should be installed in all moderate sized towns with accommodation for in-patients. Dr. Hilda Northcroft. representing the National Council of Women, said her figures were derived from her own practice, which dealt entirely with obstetrics, with some consultation work among women and girls. In three and a-half years in New Zealand, she "found a considerable percentage suffering from the disease. " The causes were lack of home training and parental control. Suggested remedies were compulsory treatment of all infected persons, prevention of treatment by others than duly qualified medical practitioners, making it an offence to communicate the disease to another person, wide extension of educative measures and, as a measure of desperation in the meantime, prophylaxis. Some of the Factors.

Dr. Frank Macky, venereal disease specialist, said imperfect treatment was one great cause, and lesser factors were tho influence of alcohol, the absence of prophylaxis and general ignorance. Dr. Macky's recommendations to remedy present conditions were substantially those made by Dr. Falconer Brown. He emphasised the difficulties in tho methods of open notification and notification by key number, or anonymously. He was of opinion that the provision in the Social Hygiene Act forbidding, under heavy penalties by fine or imprisonment, other than medical practitioners to treat the disease, was non-effective because of the publicity, in the event of a prosecution, accruing to the witnesses. He considered the use of prophylaxis was an extremely eificient preventative, but tho public would not tolerate open advocacy of this method at the present stage, fie noted a considerable proportion of cases imported' from overseas, but could suggest no practicable way of preventing this inflow.

Dr. Gilmour, pathologist and bacteriologist at the Auckland Hospital, stated that of a total of 1000 general cases at the hospital, 11 per cent, wore found to be suffering from syphilis, and owing to the disease being at times in the latent stage, this was an underestimate. Experience in an Australian asylum showed that the same disease was responsible for 35 per cent, of cases among males, and 22 per cent, among females. His main recommendation was for early and thorough treatment. The medical superintendent, of the Auckland Hospital, Dr. C. E. Maguire, thought that special wards for the treatment of the disease should he attached to all large institutions. Provision was, being made at the Auckland Hospital -for 60 inpatients, as well as the examination and treatment of out-patients. Need for Education. The education of the public as to the seriousness of the disease and the. removal of ignorance pertaining to its nature, was the chief remedy suggested by Dr. W. H. Parkes.

D r . Hardie Neil, the surgeon in charge of the nose, ear and throat department- of the Auckland Hospital, traced one-third of all cases of deafness arising from nerve disease to syphilis, and a large proportion of deaf-mutes was the result of congenital infection. He favoured notification. The establishment of free treatment for all classes of the disease was the main method favoured*by Dr. R. Tracy Inclis, officer in attendance at St. Helen's Hospital, Auckland, who also advocated compulsory but confidential notification. He estimated that about. 20 cases of venereal disease a year occurred at the institution with which he was connected.

Dr. E. W. Sharman, port health officer, gave figures as to the number of fcase's 1 coming under his notice among the crews and passengers of ships from overseas. The greatest number mentioned was 19 in 1920

Instruction regarding sex hygiene in schools, and the methods which might be adopted were discussed by Dr. W. H. Pett:t. who advocated education in these matters, starting in the primary schools. Practical difficulties arising 'out of notification were stated in some detail.

The Auckland sittings of the committee will he continued to-day, and members will leave this evening for Christchureh and Dunedin, where evidence will be taken. At to-day's sitting, evidence will bo taken from women's social organisations and from a representative of the Society of Friends.