THE VEILED PLAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1989, 20 February 1914, Page 9

THE VEILED PLAGUE.

DISCUSSED BY HOSPITAL BOARD.

TIME FOR ACTION.

What- has been termed tlia "Veiled l'laguo"—.venereal disease —was discussed by the Hospital Board yesterday. in accordance With notico previously given, Mr. F. T. Moore moved: "That the medical superintendent be asked to furnish a comprehensive report.dealing with the dangers.of venereal diseases, and the best method of combating such diseases." '. .In speaking to the motion, ho said he felt that he would meet .with more success on the presont occasion than when he mentioned the matter a month before, owing to .the, disclosures at the ,Medical Conference in Auckland. They had made a move that day towards dealing with consumption, "the 'White IMague," and his motion was to deal With "tho Black Plague." It could be. prevented. '• Wrong ideas' were entertained with regard to. the disease; in fact, somo men seemed to consider it an honour to contract such.a disease. „Thp subject had to be handled in a thorough manner, as'society had veiled the disease too long. They had to deal with the disease as they know it existed. ' Tho chief'■value of the ' report, •Dr. Hardwick Smith' would bring down would be to enlighten the public on the importance' of the. subject. What was .tlio use'of trying to Wipe out tho'White Plague when doctors told, them that * a great deal of consumption was duo'to interent syphilis? As soon, as '' they .grappled-'with this horror'there would be fewer patients sent to tho. 'hospitals and the lunatic asylums. ' ■ Mr. D. JVJJLaren seconded the motion. He felt there was' no use in covering up tho faot that thore was a widespread.'horror in' tho diseaso: He had B; report from Now York, and the facts disclosed wore harrowing. The doctor who made the report there had no doubt that the same conditions existed in England. • If'the. motion wasl carried they Would hare moro statistics to go "on "in the future. He, agreed that more could bo done by educating young men than by any other means. Some agreed that' a great deal .could be done by enforcing notification of tho diseaso, biit ho held that'less "mawkishness" should bo;displayed in tho proper teaching of tlib results of the disease to children.' '. ''

■ Dr. Platts-Mills deprecated a suggestion made for t'ho 'reinstatement on the statutes of the "O.D. Act." She'referred to ■ the- .good work' done by a society of women, during the past'two years, and stated that "they' found that the best tiling was to begin in childhood teaching sex hygiene', and' a certain amount of the .physiology.' of the human body. As the children left schooltlicy should go with a full knowledge of the dangers lying beforo them, and how to protect themselves. This was especially necessary for children going into factories. Women had been taking: ail' interest in the question,' and had boon discussing it for' over two years. The Rev. J. K., Elliott said it was r.vory often the innocent who' suffered' from tho disease* The subject. was' ■ pressing itself on the attention; of all ■ boards. Ho supported tho motion, as ; the more one thought of it tho moro alarming the s subjeet became. '■. ■.; Mr, F. Castle also spoke in'support Ipf jthVmotiony which was unanimously: