Page 4 Advertisements Column 4

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 291, 5 June 1912, Page 4

DR. HOME'S ADDRESS. Science in the field of medicine has done such a lot for poor humanity that it is almost possible to conceive of an age • when it will set death, save for the ultimate penalty of old age, practically at naugh(y» But the efforts of science must be b»*ited by universal knowledge if they ; are to be made effective. In this connection there can be nothing but commendation for the open heart-to-heart talk with men that was given at the Brotherhood meeting on Sunday by Dr Home, an exhaustive digest of which was published in our issue of yesterday. It is quite possible for natural diffidence t0 degenerate into mock modesty where the discussion of certain subjects is concerned, but there is a whole world between pruriency and frankness, and it is not likely tliat anybody in the community will take exception to Dr. Home's very plain speaking to men on the subject of contagious diseases. So much ignorance and carelessness exist in this connection that anything that is calculated to dispel them must be of advantage to the whole community. Cleanliness is proverbially next to Godliness in "this sorry scheme of things," and it is quite within the province of the Brotherhood to undertake the discussion of subjects which are naturally not generally exploited from the public platform. The doctor showed that sexual maladies are very common in this country. There are ultra-sensitive people, and some also who are po'rnographically-minded, who would tabu the public discussion of all sexual subjects; but we cannot but think that where the health of the nation is concerned—and morality is healthit is better to take off the gloves as Dr. Home has done, and put the position clearly and frankly before the younger generation. There is nothing whatever to be gained by preventing a sore from suppurating, and when once its presence is located its unpleasantness necessitates as drastic and as early treatment as possible. The good housewife does not sweep the dust under the doormat, and the old Biblical simile of the vrhited sepulchre has just as much force to-day as it had when it was first uttered. The free discussion of problems of this sort comes specially within the province of such an organisation as the Brotherhood, and if this comparatively new institution continues to approach its responsibilities in the same sterling spirit, it will very soon ba ranked amongst the most useful *nd practical organisations in our midst.