The Daily News. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1917. SOCIAL HYGIENE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1917. SOCIAL HYGIENE.

In introducing the important and farreaching measure designed to, as far as possible, stamp out venereal disease, the Minister for Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) had a task that few would envy, but he faced his duty with tact and courage. The subject is one that does not lend itself to public discussion, though the ravages and infectious nature of the disease are only too well known. It is one of those evils that have hitherto defied attempts at eradication, the victims doing their utmost to maintain secrecy and avoid exposure, excepting the hardened cases which are really the main sources of infection. The inroads this vicious disease is making on the efficiency of the nation, as emphasised by the medical reports in connection with on:- "xpeditionary reinforcements, has mace drastic action imperative. Th'e future welfare of the Dominion greatly depends on stamping out this evil, and the provisions of the Bill now before the House may be regarded as an honest attempt to cope with a plague that is rarely spoken about, but is none the less sapping the vitality of a large section of people—far larger than we cafe to admit. Unpleasant as the aubject is to the innocent and pure, the insidious ways in wnich the disease is spread compel universal attention being given to the means proposed to combat it. Segregation and effective medical treat- ' emnt can alone cope with the evil, and it will be seen that these are the main features of the Bill. The time has arrived to lift the veil of secrecy enshrouding this disease. The figures quoted by the Minister speak for themselves both as to the number of still births and the effect as regards weaklings who eas.ily fall victims to other diseases. At present the Minister stops short of a compulsory declaration of a clean bill of health before marriage, but indicates that even this drastic proviso may be only a question of time, and he, apparently, omits compulsory notification solely for the reason that a large number of people contract the infection quite innocently, so that it would be a great hardship on these victims to be compelled to notify, although they are compelled to obtain proper medical treatment. It may be here remarked that one o£ the most satisfactory provisions of the measure is that dealing with quacks, who have been making a, great harvest out of the foolish people they have drawn into their nets, and many of whom have found to their sorrow that when at last they have been obliged to obtain medical advice, it was too late to be of service. The Bill deals with both men and women, but there is not a pure woman in the Dominion who need fear its provisions. Power is given to establish local advisory boards consisting of the district health officer and three other persons of each sex, not medical practitioners, whose duties are chiefly to inquire into and report on cases of prostitution brought to the board's notice, with a view to their detention, and power is given to have such cases examined by a medical practitioner. For the purpose of treating such eases magistrates are empowered to order detention in a prison hospital for a period not exceeding six months, upon the certificate of at least two registered medical practitioner*, Provision is »W

I made for voluntary detention for at least six months, no court fees being payable. (Very properly it is specified that women and girls believed to be suffering from venereal disease shall, unless otherwise desired, bo examined by a woman medical practitioner. Under the regulations any place that the Governor-in-Council thinks fit, may be declared a prison hospital, discharge therefrom being mandatory as soon as the person detained is deemed to be free from the disease or has ceased to be a source of danger to the public health. It is laid down that every person suffering from this disease shall at once consult a registered practitioner and continue under treatment until a clearance certificate lias ueen obtained. Moreover medical practitioners are hound to thoroughly explain to these patients the infectious nature of the disease and to warn them against contracting marriage until a certificate has been granted, besides giving printed information relative to the dis, ease and its treatment. The treatment of children under 16 suffering from the disease is also compulsory. Important provisions are mado and heavy penalties fixed in the case of persons suffering from the disease being employed in the handling of food in factories, shops, hotels, restaurants, house, or any other place, and employers are also made liable in this connection. The duty is imposed on all Hospital Boards of making effective provision for the reception of this class of patient, the Government subsidising the expenses lo the extent of 75 per cent. The only proposal in the Bill that is likely to cause, apprehension is the appointment of what the Minister desciibes as "motherly women," bearing badges, to go round the parks, squares and stations to give friendly warnings and to take casea in hand. This may occasionally lead to friction and unpleasantness, but in face of the great evil to be fought it is to be hoped that the community in general will render assistance rather than otherwise, for the well-being of the race depends on doineverything that is possible to eliminate the scourge.