A discussion on syphilis : with special reference to (a) its prevalence and intensity in the past and at the present day (b) its relation to public health, including congenital syphilis (c) the treatment of the disease : held on June 10, 17 and 24, and July 8, 1912, the Royal Society of Medicine, London / discussion re-opened June 24 by H.C. French.

  • French, Herbert Cumming, 1860-1913.
Date:
1912
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A discussion on syphilis : with special reference to (a) its prevalence and intensity in the past and at the present day (b) its relation to public health, including congenital syphilis (c) the treatment of the disease : held on June 10, 17 and 24, and July 8, 1912, the Royal Society of Medicine, London / discussion re-opened June 24 by H.C. French. 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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    There are two important Bills now before Parliament indirectly bearing on this subject, one dealing with the feeble-minded and the other with white slave traffic. The notification and control of venereal diseases, however, is of even more importance to the community. It is essential to recognize that it is not possible to entirely eradicate prostitution, since it is primarily dependent on poverty, and its entire suppression would give rise to much worse evils in the community. It is feasible, however, to limit prostitution, to eradicate disease, and to safeguard minors and orphan children. To ignore the question merely increases underlying evils. Inquiries in Brussels extending over twenty years elicited the fact that amongst 1,523 out of 3,505 women the primary cause of prostitution is poverty. In summarizing the means at our disposal it is requisite to bear in mind that there are three main principles involved in the prevention and control of venereal diseases. First : Control at the source which is concerned with prostitution before disease is contracted or spread. This embraces {a) medical notification of disease; (b) suppression of souteneurs and solicitation in the streets; (c) protection of orphan and destitute children. Secondly: Prevention by medical measures—i.e., prophylaxis by treatment after disease has been contracted. This includes (a) pro- vision of hospital beds and segregation; (5) professorships at large hospitals ; (c) instruction of students and the public. Thirdly : Moral and religious considerations. These are placed last, but are by no means least, and are more applicable to youth and adolescence before disease is contracted. At the Brussels Internationa,! Conference, in 1899, the consensus of medical evidence was distinctly in favour of revised regulations for dealing with prostitution apart from the State control of vice {vide Appendix A). The abolitionists of regu- lation strongly advocated the notification of venereal diseases, and female inspectors of factories, and reformatories for young girls aged under 21, who adopt a vicious life. In conclusion, I refer briefly to the main stumbling block, the ethics of the situation, which are either not understood or the realization of which we shirk. I quote from Mr. Lecky’s “History of European Morals ” (vol. ii, pp. 280 et seq.) who in referring to prostitute women says: “ Herself the supreme type of vice, she is ultimately the most efficient guardian of virtue. But for her the unchallenged purity of countless happy homes would be polluted, and not a few who in the pride of their