How can prophylaxis by treatment in the case of the venereal diseases best be obtained? / by James Pedersen.

  • Pedersen, James.
Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: How can prophylaxis by treatment in the case of the venereal diseases best be obtained? / by James Pedersen. 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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    titioners with knowledge and skill in the treatment of the venereal diseases, and the office of each would become a subcentre for prophylaxis by treatment. Many a clinical patient challenged as to his right to attend, declares that the “ private doctor ” he went to did not know how to treat him. Granting that the patient expected too much of the physician, was there not an avoidable error on the part of that physician in having failed to instruct his patient as to the nature and prognosis of the disease? The vicious circle is obvious. Orderlies.—They should be paid sufficient to at- tach them to the clinic and to inspire their personal interest. They should have the care of, and be re- sponsible for the instruments, supplies, and equip- ment. Not more than ten hours a day should be expected of them. During the morning they could do duty in the medical wards; between the after- noon and evening clinics they should be allowed an interval for recreation to fit them for the evening's work. A system of substitutes should be arranged to secure for them at least one night off a week when the clinic is held every night. An annual vaca- tion should be similarly arranged. Possibly no one who has not had practical experience can appreciate the time saving value of an intelligent orderly who has remained not only to be trained, but also to prac- tise the training. Furthermore, he has an un- doubted influence in attracting patients through his able assistance in expediting the work of the clinic. It may not be too Utopian to add that eventually, by arrangement with the Mills Training School, its pupils could serve a specified time in the different clinics in rotation as a part of their training in venereal and genitourinary diseases and their pro- phylaxis. . Nurses.—The present system of having under- graduate nurses in attendance at the gynaecological clinics needs no elaboration. There will remain