A NATIONAL PERIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16485, 26 February 1914, Page 6

A NATIONAL PERIL.

Dr Femvick deserves the utmost credit for having induced the Hospital Board to seriously consider the treatment of venereal diseases at the institution under its control. The subject is an extremely unpleasant one, but this fact, as the doctor himself insisted at yesterday's meeting of the Board, does not excuse the authorities for ignoring the terrible peril that is menacing the community. It is not mockmodesty alone that has kept Governments and local bodies .from dealing with this frightful evil before. It is largely tho criminal apathy of a public which refuses to face troubles that can be buried out of sight. Everyone is aware of the existence of tho evil, but only courageous members of tho medical profession like Dr Fonwick have dared to cry out against its horrible ravages. It has heen more convenient to the great body of laymen, to politicians and even to devoted social workers to "pass on the other side" and leave the sorely afflicted community to its impending fate. If Dr Fenwick's proposal should do no more than arouse the people of Christchurch to some sense of national duty it will be justified a thousand times over. But we hope it will do more than this. A single local body can do comparatively little to stay the progress of the peril. It can do something to awaken the public conscience and it can treat a few hundred sufferers. But by its example it mai stimulate other local bodies to

action and finally with their assistance it may impel Parliament to do its duty. W© are aware of the difficulties that confront Dr Fenwick and his colleagues. Of course they can touch only the very fringe of the subject without definite legislative authority. They will bo told that the community must bo saved by education and by education alone. But we believe that if the Board goes about this disagreeable business in the spirit it displayed yesterday, with sane commonsenso ana ceaseless determination, it will render an invaluable service to the whole country. It at least will deservo the warm sympathy and cordial support of the people of Canterbury.