SOCIAL SCOURGE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2465, 10 August 1922, Page 2

SOCIAL SCOURGE

SOME ALARMING FIGURES

AND HOW THEY IVnGHT BE REDUCED.

Wellington, Tuesday

In giving evidence at the Commission of Inquiry into the prevalence of venereal disease, Dr Watt, Director of the Division of Public Hv r ■;iene, said the number..of eases of syphilis and gonorrhoea treated for the first time "at clinic were: —Syphilis 1920, 483 cases: 1921 367; 1922, 218. Gonorrohea —1920 486 cases; 1921, 916; 1922, 592. His reasons for advocating new legislation were: (1) That existing legislation does not give departmental officers sufficient powers to deal with cases which were referred to them and which were frequently regarded by the public as cases requiring action by the department in the public interest. (2) At present it had not sufficient' power to insure continuity of treatment; (3) New Zealand was lagging behind other countries in this sphere of legislation. Witness outlined the amendments sought, including compulsory notification by key numbers, the name and address not to he divulged so long as tiie patient continued treatment. When the patent failed his name would he forwarded to the Director-General of Health to he reeommeiKlod for compulsory treatment; patient must undergo treatment till cured; the compulsory examination of suspects under safeguards, and that should also he made illegal to advertise drugs or instruments to cure venereal dis-