VENEREAL DISEASES.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1921, Page 7

VENEREAL DISEASES.

THE APPROVED POLICY. London, April 7. A long memorandum defining its policy has been prepared by the National Council for Combating Venereal Disease, and this Dr. Addison, as Minister of Health, has approved. The memorandum has been drawn up “in view of the report of the Special Committee of the National Birth-rate Commission.” There are seven points: 1. The nation must be warned official]y- • .

2. Moral teaching, and no suggestion of condonation of offences.

3. Prevention so far as possible where moral teaching fails —but no condonation.

4. In relation to Immoral persons: “Where such individuals, acting on their own initiative, desire to purchase from chemists disinfectants as a protection against these diseases, no legal difficutly exists to prevent them from so doing. ’ Misapprehension on this point should be publicly removed. Official instruction how to use the disinfectants, if issued with them, will savour of condonation and suggest an official guarantee.

5. Instruction in cleanliness. 6. Importance of self-cleaning and of early treatment. 7. Existing ablution or disinfecting centres should be continued, but- should be regarded as experiments and observed officially. The memorandum was discussed at a meeting of the council and passed after ■an amendment to it had 'been rejectUl by 41 votes to