CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 892, 15 September 1910, Page 4

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.

Dr Findlay, interviewed, was asked what progress had been made with his proposals to check the spread of contagious diseases. He said his suggestions at least had provoked discussion and criticism throughout New Zealand, and had stimulated and increased attention to an evil which had steadily grown to alarming proportions. The recent conference he had with medical men and clergymen had produced exceedingly gratifying results. Father O ’Shea had written to him to say, “ I know we cannot hope to make people moral by Act of Parliament, but surely something can be done to make it more difficult at least for immoral persons to injure the innocent. Speaking for the Catholic clergy and people I have to say we quite approve of your proposals, and will do all in our power to get them passed into law.” The Wellington Ministers’ Association had written; ‘‘This Association is distressed by the painful evidence of the prevalence of venereal diseases and endorses your proposals.” The Anglican Bishop of Wellington writes that he placed the proposals before the clergy, who were fully sensible of the extreme gravity of the evil with which Dr. Findlay is endeavouring to grapple, and warmly appreciates the courage which marks his endeavour to provide a remedy, but grave doubts were entertained as to the possibility of compelling doctors and chemists to report every case of venereal disease coming withiu their observation. Dr. Findlay adds that the British Medical Association strongly favours his proposed amendments of the law. The gravity of the evil can scarcely be too strongly emphasised. Statistics prove that these horrible contagious diseases are widely prevalent, and are increasing. Thousands of innocent women and children in New Zealand to-day have born and are bearing serious injury and even death due directly or indirectly to this vile plague. Compulsory but confidential notification to the Public Health Officer, and where necessary personal quarantine, was what he proposed with severe penalties to be imposed on any man or woman who knowingly does anything by which these diseases may be communicated.