THE SOCIAL DISEASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18173, 19 August 1922, Page 11

THE SOCIAL DISEASE.

WOMEN'S VIEWPOINT GIVEN. EQUALITY OF TREATMENTQUESTION OF NOTIFICATION The evidence of several women witnesses was taken by the Venereal Diseases Committee of the Board of Health, at Auckland yesterday. The first witness was Mrs. H. A. Treeby, who acted as spokeswoman for a deputation from the Women's International and Political League. Witness said the league objected to the system of compulsory notification and examination, which was bound to affect women more seriously than men. It would also tend to lead to the intimidation of young girls by unscrupulous men. As an alternative, to compulsion, she would advocate free clinics, available in the evening as well as in the daytime, with full measure of privacy to every patient. One great objection to the system of compulsory treatment was that if people knew that they must continue it until cured, it would hinder them from coming fdrl ward. The league would not oppose compulsory examination in extreme cases, of which doctors had been notified by patients who had actually contracted the disease from a known source. Witness expressed the opinion that " early treatment " methods tended to lower the moral standard by giving a false sense of security. A publicity campaign would help to enlighten the public, while instruction should be given in the schools by properly qualified teachers. Attitude of Society oi JTriends. A lepreoentative of the Society or Friends, stated that his society objected to compulsory notification on the ground that it would prevent tbe immediate application of sufferers to their medical men for treatment in the early stages, because oi! the stigma attached to the circumstances. His society considered that voluntary methods and the establishment of good free clinics should be given a trial before compulsory measures were adopted. Mrs. Harrison Lee Cowie emphasised the urgent need for the promotion of tem"perance as one of the best means for combating the social scourge. Better home*, strengthened parental influence and more wholesome conditions of recreation would also bring about a change for the better in the young life of the community. Strict supervision over known haunts of vice was essential and the need for vigilance committees was undeniable. Intimate knowledge of the working of the old CD. Act in Australia'had prejudiced the speaker against compulsory measures, although she admitted that under certain conditions, these might be essential. With regard to aids, there should be teaching of sex physiology, suopression of quacks, certificates of health on the side of both parties before marriage, severe punishment for knowingly infecting another, and absolute equality of sexes in treatment, whether medical'or judicial. Low Proportion in the Gaol. Dr. D. N. W. Murray, medical officer at the Auckland prison, stated that the number of male prisoners admitted from July, 1920, to July, 1922, was 2511, of which number 23 were suffering from venereal disease. Of 210 females admitted during the same period, 4 were similarly affected. Of the total number of prisoners at the gaol, only one had been detained for completion of treatment under the Criminal Detention Act. The chairman expressed the opinion that the proportion of prison population suffering from venereal disease was much lower in Auckland than in other countries. Dr. Murray concurred with this opinion, 14 years' experience of prison work having satisfied him that the disease was more prevalent in private life than in the gaols. Mr. Kenneth McKenzie, speaking as a practitioner, who specialised in women's surgical work, stated that he treated annually from 12 to 15 cases in women. During the last seven years, he had operated on 96 patients; in about 70 cases, gonorrhoea was the causative factor. The majority of the iases treated were married women. With regard to voluntary treatment, it was often difficult to get a patient to continue it until a. thorough cur© had been effected. Experience had convinced wiU n«as that something more drastic than a mere warning of the dangers of diseas* was absolutely necessary. Public opinion had changed greatly during the last 10 years, and he did not think a system of confidential notification would act as a deterrent to anything like the extent that some people supposed. Mrs. E. B. Miller referred to the need for more free clinics with proper equipment .and hostels for the convalescent patients. She also advocated the appointment of women police. Rev, J. Galder's Opinion. The Rev. Jasper Calder, Anglica,n Citar Miissioner, said he hoped that besides the medical side of the question the committee would not lose sight of the moral side. A certain section of people were trying to run the country on what things ought to be and not on what they are. It had to be remembered there were some young people who would not restrain their passions. He could not too strongly urge compulsory notification and treatment, and also inspection. Nobody waited the old Contagious Diseases Act back, but something approaching it seemed vitally necessary. . Quack treatment should be forbidden. What with the white plague, the red plague and what might be called the blue plague, alcohol, they should see that those red, white and blue tickets were all olear in every red, white and blue British country. "It is not the footballer or the prize fighter who gets our girls into trouble," Mr. Calder said. "It is the thin, weafykneed youth who has got.no vital energy or physical and moral strength—the sort of chap who is scared to have a cold bath in the morning." , Publicity as DeterrentMr. F. L. Armitage, Government Bacteriologist at Auckland, said the results of examinations for syphilis carried out for the Defence Department, medical practitioners, and various hospital boards, from November 1, 1919, to July 31, 1922. were: Total individual cases examined 1760. total diagnosed as syphilis 481, average per year 175. The large number of negative results, namely, 1279 out of 1760, he attributed to the numerous cases received for examination in nervous conditions and lesions of the skin, eye, nose and throat that were not duo to syphilis, but in which syphilis iis a possible cause had to be excluded,- also the numerous cases which had been previously diagnosed and treated elsewhere which were examined repeatedly to ensure that oute 'had been effected and maintained. The records of the examinations for gonorrhoea were of no value for statistical purposes. As regards penalties and deterrents he instanced what appeared to he the most effective on active service during the war. namely, the threat to publish in the New Zealand papers the names of soldiers invalided out with venereal disease. Of course, that was never put into effect, but the mere threat was more effective than any ordinary punishment or fine. A person might, through ignorance or misfortune, contract the disease, but there could be neither excuse nor forgiveness for one who knowing himself or herself to be infected, deliberately infected others. He suggested that the Director-General of Health be empowered to publish the name and description of any man or woman who, knowingly suffering from venereal disease, transmitted it to any other person by sexual intercourse. Mr.* Garrick Robertson, -surgeon, gave particulars of .certain operations performed by him. Dr. W. A. Fairclough, in reply to the chairman, said he would furnish a written statement. I ..