These diseases are called the diseases of vice because they spring directly from the promiscuous intercourse of men and women. Syphilis never arises from the single union of a healthy man and woman. We do not know the exact conditions under which promiscuity produces these diseases. Dirt and excess of all kinds favour their production; but we also know that, however apparently healthy the individuals may be who give themselves up to indiscriminate debauch, yet these diseases will speedily arise amongst them. Now, I wish to point out with emphasis (to you who are engaged with the criminal classes) this chief originating cause of disease--viz., promiscuity. It is a cardinal fact to notice in studying this subject, for it furnishes a solid basis of observation from which you may judge legislation and all proposed remedial measures. If you will bear in mind that unchecked licentiousness or promiscuity contains in itself the faculty of _originating_ venereal disease, you will possess a test by which you may judge of the good or evil effects of any proposed measure. Ask yourself whether any particular legislative Act tends to check licentiousness in both men and women; if not, it is either useless or injurious to the nation, because it does not check that source of constantly increasing danger--viz., promiscuity. The effect of brothels and Contagious Diseases Acts, of establishments and laws which do not tend to check promiscuous intercourse, is to facilitate, not stop, such vice, and cannot eradicate the diseases of vice which spring from such intercourse. The futility of any system which leaves the causes of disease unchecked, and only tries to palliate its effects, is evident. The futility of such a false method would remain, even if it compelled the inspection of vicious men as well as women. But when a system attempts only to establish an examination of women, leaving men uninspected, and allowing free scope to the licentiousness of all, it becomes a direct encouragement to vice. It tends to facilitate that brutal custom of promiscuous intercourse without affection and without responsibilities which is the disgrace of humanity--the direct source of physical disease as well as of measureless moral evil.