THE SOCIAL SCOURGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18225, 19 October 1922, Page 10

THE SOCIAL SCOURGE.

BRITISH DOCTOR'S OPINION. NOTIFICATION AND TREATMENT. At the iummcr school of the National Union of Societies for Equal Citizenship held at Oxford,' Dr. Douglas White, of Harrow, spoke, on compulsory versus voluntary methods in the treatment of venereal disease. He opposed compulsory notification and treatment, not on the question of morals but on the grounds of social expediency. The compulsory enactments regarding the diseases in foreign countries and in the colonies were inoperative. He knew of no punishment having been inflicted for nou-compliance with the orders. It was perfectly obvious that a person could not be called upon to diagnose his own disease, and the provisions which had been made in that respect in some places were mere eyewash. As self-de-claration of the diseases was fundamental to the compulsory system its foundation was laid on quicksand. Dr. White drew attention to how, undercompulsion, the public might bo placed at tnß mercy of informers, whose identity need not be disclosed, and', discussing the transmission of the diseases, contended that to penalise knowing transmission was almost impossible. In regard to legislation, it should be seen that the liberties of women were not encroached upon any more than those of men. A number of questions were put Dy the students on various aspects of the sub ject. Answering them. Dr. White said :—" 1 am in favour of compulsory examination of all persons before marriage if it were not for the reason that it is wholly impracticable. I do not suppose there, are more than 200 doctors in the whole country whoso certificate of freedom from veneral disease is worth the paper it is written upon. " Parents ought to insist before the marriage of their daughters that the man should prove he is i'ree from these diseases. A mother often requires to know about the man's wealth, out makes no inquiry whatever as to his health. Nearly 60 pet- cent, of blindness in children l's cauned by these diseases." Dr. White said he, however, had no pious opinion against compulsory notification and treatment if it could he shown that it would produce good results.