VENEREAL DISEASE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 259, 31 July 1942, Page 8

VENEREAL DISEASE

Check Of Upward Incidence Of Scourge REALISTIC ATTITUDE OF DEPARTMENT Steps already taken with a view to a reduction in the incidence of venereal disease and others that were contemplated were outlined by the Minister of Health, Mr. Nordmeyer, when replying to a deputation which waited on him yesterday. He said a realistic attitude was being adopted by the Health Department, and lectures were -given on the subject to factory girls and others. He was hopeful that by pursuing the course of action the department was following, plus the introduction of increased powers, which lie proposed to recommend to the Government, it would be possible still further to decrease the menace. The deputation, which was headed by the mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, was representative of the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council, the Wellington Metropolitan" ■' Patriotic Committee, and the Keturned Services’ Association, Mr. E. E. Brooking said he thought there were a number of factors which might be said to contribute to the position, but in his opinion one of the greatest was lack of knowledge, due to failure on the part of a big percentage of parents to instruct their children. In view of the fact that certain houses did exist those keeping them should have to obtain medical certificates. “I am not suggesting licensed houses or anything like that,” he added, “but where they do exist bring them under medical supervision.” Replying* tho Minister said that though the incidence of venereal disease in New Zealand might not be on the scale some people imagined it to be, nevertheless it was a very serious social scourge! There was no room for complacency. He was, however, happy to say that an analysis of the figures taken out by the Army Medical Service on the incidence of venereal disease among the troops in the war showed that it was just about half of what it was in the last war. Also the figures for'last month revealed that the incidence among the men was jus 1 : about half of what it was previously and were the lowest figures recorded for 12 months. Figures were also available showing the number of civilians who had been treated at the public clinics. Though it was not pretended that these figures represented the whole picture, the Health Department was in the definite position of being able to say that steps taken since last year had arrested the upward trend. Compulsory Detention. ' Mr. Nordmeyer said that it was not generally known that extensive powers had been taken by Act and by regulations last year. Any person suffering from an infectious disease could, at the request of the medical officer of health, be detained compulsorily in a public institution, whici normally would be a public hospital, till such time as the disease had been arrested, and there was no longer any danger of the person infecting others. That power was being exercised. Unfortunately, there were a few people who did not recognize their and who did not attend regularly for treatment, but he had given instructions for every person who was not receiving treatment to be placed in hospital and kept there til] he or she was cured. Hospitals bad been instructed to make beds available for that particular purpose. Nurse inspectors were also employed whose sole duty was to follow up and interview suspected contacts. The Minister said he had had discussions with the Commissioner, of Police concerning the possibility of extending powers that already exist. There was a lot to be said for giving the police wider powers so that they would be able to ensure that women whom they suspected might be suffering from yenereal disease underwent an examination. Free treatment of venereal disease had been omitted from the social security- scheme for the purpose of ensuring that those suffering from it would attend the public clinics, which in the opinion of the Health Department officers were the only safe places for treatment. However, he would be prepared to recommend to the Government that a list be compiled of doctors competent to treat the who could be relied on to notify the department when a patient did not continue treatment,. to whom persons suffering from the disease could go and in respect of whom the doctors would be able to claim from the Social Security Fund. Air. Nordmeyer said he did not think it would be wise to establish special homes for- treatment, because every person seen going to or coming away from such a place might be the subject of criticism. Those who were* treated in the hospitals were not usually in contact with other patients, and so far as was possible complete secrecy was observed. In his opinion there was a lot to be said for more information and publicity on the-subject. That had been done in America with beneficial results.