A Painful Subject.

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 65, 1 October 1900, Page 7

A Painful Subject.

For years the Christchurch Police Surgeon has striven to win favour for a new C.D Act which he has drafted at t’ne request of the Government He has even had the courage to address the National Council of Women on the subject. Fortunately, several of the delegates were sufficiently acquainted with the working and history of similar Acts to be able to put pertinent ques* tions on the subject These questions tlie doctor was unable to answer to the satisfaction of the Council. The National Council therefore declined to support a measure which would lead to an indecent system of espionage, and yet would not safe-guard the public health Failing with the Council of women, t e Police Surgeon has sought for allies in an unexpected quarter, and has ap fluently succeeded A Committee of * nistchurch ministers has forwarded t«» the Government a nuintier of reminendations taken from Hr Symes’ Bill. The recommendations are to the Ofect that venereal disease in either sex

is to be compulsorily reported under penalties, and that the use of drugs employed in these diseases should be presumptive evidence that the disease for which they are used is venereal. There is no reason to suppose that these ministers are actuated by anything but the best intentions. Gut it is a sorrowful thing to find them so thoughtlessly ignorant of the effect of their action. It is hard to believe that the public teachers of virtue couid touch so delicate a subject without making themselves familiar with the experience of other lands. They may possibly explain that they are not advocating a C.D. Act, that they are only anxious for the public health. But a very little reflection would have shown them that the compulsory reporting of these diseases is only a prelude to segregation, and hateful and indecent surveillance, and State regulation of vice. There might l>e some shadow of excuse if it would conduce to the public health. But the experience of other countries shows ihat the Disease is Increased ~y these regulations. The reason is not far to seek Dread of detention and the shame of exposure prevent diseased persons from seeking proper treatment, and the community suffers

in consequence. It is a well-known fact that in countries where the C.D. Acts are in operation there is a much larger proportion of these diseases than there is in countries free from those abominal regulations. So fully is this fact recognised that medical experts on the Continent are now advocating the establishment of “ voluntary ” dispensaries for the treatment of these diseases. What our Unions and Women’s Societies should do is, to insist upon the Hospital authorities doing their duty by setting aside wards wherein persons

who are suffering from the consequences of their own or other peoples’ wrongdoing may receive proper tjeatment.