VENEREAL DISEASE

Southland Times, Issue 17791, 21 July 1916, Page 5

VENEREAL DISEASE

CASES IX CAMP: 292 IX SIX MONTHS THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS. . j SEGREGATION AND EDUCATION. j AVELLINGTON, July 20. j In explaining the proposals of the , War Regulations Bill in regard to vene- ! real disease, the Hon. G. W. Russell, in j a vigorous address, said that the fact that the disease was rampant in this country might be proved by these facts: During the six months ended April, 1310, SS soldiers were admitted to the Featherston camp hospital and 191 to the Trcntham camp hospital suffering from the milder form of the disease, a total of 279. During the same' period three were admitted at Featherston and four at Trcntham suffering from the worst form. There were patients with other forms of the disease, bringing the totals to 91 for Featherston and 201 for Trentham, a grand total of 292 for the six months. Of those treated at Trcntham 11 were returned soldiers. A return recently furnished to him showed that at a certain quarantine station in one of our harbours there were 90 soldiers who, having become affected with the disease, mostly at the camps, had been segregated. There were few returned soldiers; the whole of the cases had been sent from the camps, QUESTION OF SEGREGATION. “The question I put to the House and , the country,” he said, "is whether these men who are suffering should be segregated, and the women who have communicated the disease to them be allowed to remain at large pursuing their nefarious traffic and communicating the disease to other foolish men. The certainty is that what is going on among our soldiers ip also going on among civilians. Whereas the men in camp are medically examined from time to time, the civilians who are affected are free to pursue their, evil course.- In stating what has happened to the soldier population I have merely lifted one corner of the veil that hides the hideous cancer that is biting into the life of the country. Probably this country is better than most civilised countries.” THE C.D. ACT. For tlie purpose of regulating vice, lie continued, the Contagious Diseases Act was on our Statute Book. For a number of years it was in operation in the city of Christchurch, where women, who were known to be prostitutes, were required to submit themselves periodically for examination, and if found to be diseased they wpre held in the Lock hospital. He was personally assured years ago by experienced men that while the Act was in force a very great improvement took place in the health of the community. Public opinion, however, was against the operation in Christchurch, the Act was suspended, and a few years ago it was wiped off the Statute Book. He had no desire to bring into force again the obnoxious provivisions of the C.D, Act, THE DUTY OF PARLIAMENT. There was a duty cast upon Parliament to take some steps by which the consequences of this disease might be lessened; and those who, for commercial purposes, had put themselves beyond the pale, would be held by the State, if diseased, until they were free from danger to the community. He saw no reason why some persons suffering from the disease should be' segregated, while others should be allowed to mix with members of the community and communicate disease. While he advocated the segregation of the diseased women he equally held that men known to visit houses of ill-fame should be' treated in exactly the same way if found to be suffering from this disease. FACE THE POSITION. In 1914 there were 74 deaths from diseases of syphilitic origin, hut the figures expressed only a very small por--1 tion of the misery and anguish brought about by this awful disease. Surely It was the duty of the House to take some steps to deal with this awful scourge. The matter was too intricate for legislation, and in this he asked that the country, and especially the women of this country, should trust to the combined wisdom of the ’ Police and the Health Departments. Some women’s associations had protested against any,.action being taken that would' create any sense of securits'. He was not a Minister of Morals, but a Minister of Health, and in that capacity he desired to, face the position and tell the House exactly what he thought should be done In this matter. THE MINISTER’S PROPOSALS. . He proposed to ask for power by legislation that the one-woman house should be placed in the same position as the brothel that had more than one inmate. As the law at present stood* there must be two women residing in a house to constitute a brothel. Power would be sought that a women proved to be leading an immoral life should on a charge of vagrancy be subject to medical examination, and if found to be diseased, detained till cured. Power was sought to provide that every man who was proved to be a vagrant and to consort with prostitutes, and who was found to be diseased, should be detained till cured. A great difficulty was found in dealing with clandestine cases. This class was undoubtedly far more numerous than those who had openly given their lives to immoral purposes. He was satisfied that any attempt to maJce the disease noticeable would only drive it underground. He favoured making it a criminal offence for any person but a qualified medical practitioner to treat the disease. The establishment of clinics had been suggested, but he did not support the setting up of separate institutions. A mark of shame would be at once placed on anyone seen to approach the place. The only way was to treat the disease in the public hospitals, and lie proposed to ask the House to allow him to pay a subsidy of 75 per cent, to hospitals for the cost they went to in undertaking this work. Another important aspect was the educational campaign. He did not think the country would be prepared to go as far as to place a bar on the marriage of persons with tlie disease in a communicable form. Regarding diseases being planted here from Egypt, he gave an assurance that tlie greatest precautions were being taken to prevent it. All tlie information he had was to the effect that there hart been no evidence in New Zealand of any of tlie grosser and more horrible forms of the disease that affected the East. Mr Russell later explained tliat the only persons he proposed should be segregated were prostitutes and males who wore known to be promiscuous in their relations with women. Tlie procedure would be as follows: —(1) Arrest as, a vagrant without lawful means of .support: (2) conviction; (?.) examination: (4) if found to be diseased person to be held till cured. All other persons—casual or clandestine prostitutes who were diseased, but who had lawful means of support—would not he liable to arrest, but would be able to obtain free treatment as at hospital clinics. AUSTRALIAN PROPOSALS. GROUND FOR DIVORCE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, July 20. Received July 20, 10.25 p.m. The report of tlie Committee of Enquiry into the causes of deatli and invalidity recommends the Federal Government to make it unlawful for any one, not legally a qualified medical practitioner, to treat venereal disease Every sufferer will he required to consult a doctor, who must, notify an appointed health authority, the latter having power to intern until cured cases not receiving medical attention. Also the prohibition of advertisements of remedies, if an infected person marries without previously informing the other party such act will lie ground for a decree, provided action is taken within a year after marriage, the children of which will be legitimate.