Note by the Chairman of the Committee (the Hon. Walford Astor, M.P.) to the Minister of Health on prophylaxis against venereal disease.

  • Great Britain. Inter-Departmental Committee on Infectious Diseases in Connection with Demobilisation.
Date:
1919
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Note by the Chairman of the Committee (the Hon. Walford Astor, M.P.) to the Minister of Health on prophylaxis against venereal disease. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    (5) That, where preventive treatment is provided by a skilled attendant after exposure to infection, the results are better than when the same measures are taken by the individual affected, even after the most careful instruction ; (6) That the excessive consumption of alcoholic liquors not only diminishes the sense of responsibility, but also tends to prevent the proper use of prophylactics and to delay the individual’s application for skilled treatment ; (7) That the most carefully organised packet system, such as exists now in the Army (a system which would be unattainable in the civil community), — has not produced such a general reduction in the incidence of venereal disease as to counteract the disadvantages mentioned in these conclusions; (8) That the organisation of recreation and social amenities has assisted in the reduction of the incidence of venereal diseases in the Services before the war, and has also assisted in preventing that increase in the incidence of these diseases which, from past experience, might have been anticipated during the war. (9) That energy should not be dissipated on measures of doubtful value, but concentrated rather on wise propaganda and the provision of early, prompt, and skilled treatment, in order to diminish the prevalence of these diseases. It should be recognised that failure to cure these diseases is one of the main causes of their prevalence, and that failure to cure, in the most skilled hands, results largely from failure to treat pga in their early stages. IT have also been asked on behalf of all the representatives of the different Departments who assisted at various times in our deliberations on this subject to record their unanimous view that the true safeguard against these diseases is individual continence and a high standard of moral life. This implies a sound public opinion and a healthy national tone. The Committee set out to examine the evidence placed before them from the scientific and the medical point of view, and it is strictly in this spirit that they desire to record it as their opinion that the irreplaceable effect of the moral factor has been too frequently neglected or forgotten. General Conclusion. 13. In view of these findings the Committee are not satisfied that there has been sufficient evidence put before them of the beneficial results gained by the distribution of prophylactic packets in various Forces to prove the value of the system or to justify them in recommending its official encouragement among the civil — population. Unquestionably there have been many individual cases which appear | to afford positive evidence in favour of a system of distribution of such prophy- lactics before exposure to infection; but the volume of such evidence is too small and too exceptional, and the instances of its failure, even under favourable circumstances, are too numerous, to allow of any other conclusion than that, in | view of the considerations mentioned above and of the administrative and social difficulties involved, the official application of a es system to the civil community is neither desirable nor practicable. I desire, on behalf of the Committee, to place on record their high appreciation of the manner in which Dr. Seymour, the Secretary to the Committee, has assisted in the preparation of this Note. Signed on behalf of the Committee, | WALDORF ASTOR. August 1919.
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