In the relation we bear to the public, what use shall we make of our knowledge of the evil effects of venereal disease? / by Albert Vanderveer.

  • Vander Veer, A. (Albert), 1841-1929.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: In the relation we bear to the public, what use shall we make of our knowledge of the evil effects of venereal disease? / by Albert Vanderveer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    of the danger that may surround the young woman leads to serious suffering which could have been avoided had she fully and clearly known the real condition of affairs. At that meeting the subject of “the white plague” was intelligently referred to, but, in a more forcible manner a medical writer present, and whom we all respect, referred to the “black plague,” giving his views in a very startling talk, yet only within a short period has the public understood what this term means. We have recently had some very able articles presented, which must make an impression upon the thinking reader, for our magazines, our daily and weekly papers are attacking this social evil in no un- certain manner. The very excellent article presented some time ago in Pearson’s Magazine, by Dr. Howard, is a convincing argument for the necessity of a franker, clearer talk with the public. In a most charming manner he sums it up under the term “prudery.” It is not to be denied that the percentage of the young men in our cities and towns is very large, who carry with them the evidence of infectious disease, yet who enter upon marital rela- tions, some in total ignorance of the distress they may bring to their young wife, but who, if intelligently informed, would shun the perpetration of such suffering. The study of the condition of the poor, unfortunate shop girl, in our large cities, is being brought to the attention of the benevo- lent and philanthropic public in a very truthful, earnest manner, and now that they are convinced of so great a crime going on in their midst, homes are being established for the care of the young woman who is honestly endeavoring to make her living, but surrounded by temptations so great that she is at last, in far too many instances, overwhelmed. We have such centers of help, protection and positive assistance as the Waverly House, through the New York Probation Association, and the Y. W. C. A. in other cities, affording aid that is of real, practical value, but not until we as a profession had pointed out the dangers from disease, that were known only to ourselves and the unfortunate victims, has much a decided effort been made to protect these young women. Such journals as Leslie's Weekly and Colliers are to be praised and commended for the able manner in which they are presenting this important subject to the thinking and resolute public. We must recognize that in this country where members of our pro- fession were the first to call the attention of the public to the