Untitled

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 18, 26 February 1914, Page 6

The Canterbury Hospital Board is to be congratulated on its decision, arrived at yesterday, to come out into the open and begin seriously tlie : campaign against the scourge of venereal diseases. Dr Fenwick, who handled a disagreeable subject with the gloves off, is to be equally commended for his aetibh in persuading the board, as a public body, to take its courage in both hands and endeavour to check a national peril which has grown to such a menace and to such dimensions. To say that in connection with this dreadful trouble the mock modesty of the public has been nothingness than a disgrace, is but to'over-emphasise a commonplace fact. But there al'e indications that point to a stirring* c£f the pool: it looks as though the sanity bf the Medical Congress in Auckland, expressed in plain words, is to mark the beginning of a war against an enemy which has for too long warred unhindered against human efficiency. Dr Fenwick yesterday was as outspoken as the occasion demanded. It is time the' deplorable'hiesitancy to tackle the problem of venereal diseases was laid aside, and a sane public opinion aroused from its torpor to assist in blocking the inroads of a vicious evil. It will be indeed a step in the right direction when the local board establishes an outpatients' department for this purpose — of treating skilfully and inexpensively incipient cases of syphilis. It is to be hoped that now that the Canterbury Board has given a lead, other hospital bodies in other parts of the Dominion will be encouraged to follow the excellent example. If it were possible, it would be adding to the good work already projected if provision could be made whereby those heavily tainted might be detained (as with other contagious diseases) until all fear of infection had passed. The step decided on yesterday marks the beginning of an arduous battle —a battle whieh, sooner or later, had to be fought. Canterbury has sounded the call—who follows'?