VENEREAL DISEASE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 30 June 1919, Page 4

VENEREAL DISEASE

NEW MEASURES- IN NEW ZEALAND, The Hon. G. W. Russell made a statement ,on Saturday giving some accoumt of the new measures beinpr taken by the Public Health authorities in this,country to fight the menace of venereal disease. "To check the spread of venereal disease in tho Dominion," said the Minister, "the Public Health Department has requested tho various hospital boards throughout the, Dominion to stiu;t special venereal' clinics in the hospitals under their control. The necessity for such clinics was emphasised owing to case 3 arising out of war conditions. Tho clinics are "held in the evening, and are open to civilians as well as military patients. They are conducted' on strictly, confidential lines, and any civilian desirous of obtaining treatment will be given all information in reference thereto on application to the medical superintendent, of the hospital in his district. "Whilst it is compulsory for military patients to attend these clinics till they are cured, the attendance of civilian patients is-voluntary. The Health Department has reported that it is necessary that compulsory measures bo adopted in reference to civilian venereal cases, and with this in view I propose asking Parliament to pass a Bill giving the necessary powers. Such measures are now, I am . informed, in forco in New South' Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, and if New Zealand is to keep these dread diseases in check it is necessary that legal power be given to enforce the compulsory registration and treatment of all persons affected. "Tho organisation of these clinics has been placed in the hands cf a specially trained medical officer; who was retmrnetl to New Zealand for the purpose from England by the military authorities, and who is now. attached to the Health Department. This officer nas visited all the main centres in the North Island, and the clinics are now working there. Atpresent he is on a simi.yir mission to the South Island hospitals. Three other medical men are arriving shortly to assist in the work, after having gone through special training, "In order to get a definite system cf treatment- of cases, tlie Health Depart-' ment has published a pamphlet which has been posted to all medioal practitioners in itlie Dominion. Any medici practitioner requiring particulars re venereal disease will get the same on application to the Officer in Charge, of Contagiouis Diseases, Health Department, Wellington."