VENEREAL DISEASES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144421, 8 July 1914, Page 7

VENEREAL DISEASES.

PREVENTIVE STEPS URGED. At the monthly mooting of the Taranaki Hospital Board to-day the important subject of Venereal diseases was relerrod to. The Wellington Hospital Board’s secretary forwarded resolutions in connection with more effective methods to check the diseases. These recommendations were brought by a deputation from tho British Medical Association before the -Minister tor Public Health, who suggested that tiie views of other boards be obtained and promised the co-operation of the department. WELLINGTON RECOMMENDATIONS. Tho recommendations were:— (.1) That facilities bo provided at too hospital and dispensaries for the treatment of persons suffering from venereal diseases. (EJ That no charge bo made to the medical practitioners in tho Wellington Hospital District for tests made in the Bacteriological Department in connection with examinations made in regard to venereal diseases. (3) That the local branch of the British Medioaf Association be asked to co-operate with the board for the purpose of giving lectures in connection with venereal diseases. (4) That all institutions, such' as schools, universities, young men’s and women’s associations, etc., have a course of health lectures delivered -by members of the medical profession and that lectures bo given by the medical officer attached to tho defence forces to the forces when in camp. (5) That the Minister in charge of tho defence forces give instructions to discourage girls from visiting camps. (6) That the shipping companies bo approached with a view to making grants to thoir medical officers for the purpose of enabling them to give lectures on venereal diseases to the officers, passengers, and crews on ships. (7) That public bodies, such as hospital boards, make grants to members of the medical profession for lectures (to be duly advertised) to young men and women.

(8) That the Education Department bo approached with a view to making the subject of sox physiology a compulsory subject on tho syllabus for teachers’ examinations and that course of lectures be given to teachers by medical practitioners (where possible by woman doctors to women teachers). (9) That copies of tho foregoing recommendations bo forwarded to all the hospital boards in the Dominion, and that they bo asked to co-operate with this board in an urgent crusade. INSPECTOR-GENERAL’S VIEWS. Dr. Valin lino, Inspector-General of Hospitals, forwarded the recommendations of the Australian Medical Congress on tho same subject, and felt sure that the board would co-opcrato in the matter. As regarded the free treatment of sufferers from venereal diseases, recommended by the committee, be suggested that such treatment should particularly apply to tho outpatient department of the hospitals, but that where possible a fee, according to the patient’s means, bo charged to in-patients. Tho department was taking the necessary steps to give effect to tho other recommendations of the special committee. CONSIDERATION DEFERRED.

The Chairman (Mr. F. 0. J. Bellringer) said members would agree with him that the people should be educated on this very vitally important subject. At the present time they had in i\ew Plymouth a mam. Dr. Home, who was taking a very live interest in the matter, and was giving public lectures on the subject, and it was to be hoped that the outcome would be that the people would bo convinced of their duty to the young people of New Plymouth. The board should assist in the matter in every way possible. That it was a menace to the country they wore all fully awaro and it was the duty of the board to assist all they possibly could to combat the scourge. On the suggestion of Mr. M. J. MacBeynolds the secretary was instructed to make copies of the correspondence and forward to the members for their careful consideration in the interim before next meeting, when the matter would be considered.

Mr. J, Brown said ho had read tho discussion which took place at Wellington and was satisfied that the scheme was in the right direction.