The History of Prostitution: Its Extent, Causes, and Effects throughout the WorldSanger, William W.
History
The History of Prostitution: Its Extent, Causes, and Effects throughout the World
Sanger, William W.
Prostitution
Again, it was deemed that "the venereal disease was much extended by
common street-walkers," and no women but such as resided in the known
houses, where medical visits of inspection were constantly paid, were to
be tolerated, and the night-watch were instructed to arrest those common
women who were in the habit of plying their trade in the streets after
dark--a portion of the penalty exacted being awarded to the officers who
made such arrests, "to encourage their zeal." But they were strictly
cautioned against annoying innocent persons, "inasmuch as blunders in such
matters create ill impressions against the authorities, and because the
honor and happiness of the person might be irretrievably injured, so that
it would be better to pass over a guilty person here and there, than to
inculpate a single innocent one." The royal rescript concludes by
directing that a strict _surveillance_ be kept over the females of the
garrison, many of whom are stated, in very plain language, to be of
improper character.
These directions were subsequently embodied in the general statute, or law
of the land (_landrecht_), and upon that the police regulations which we
quote hereafter were based.
The statute formally declares procurers and procuresses liable to
imprisonment for from six months to three years in the House of
Correction, with "a welcome and farewell;" _Anglice_, a sound whipping
when admitted, and another when discharged. In the cases of parents or
guardians who may aid in or connive at the prostitution of their children
or wards, the term of imprisonment is doubled, and made more severe. It
requires all common women to reside in the tolerated houses "under the eye
of the state," which houses are only to be permitted in populous cities,
and "not elsewhere than in retired and back streets therein, the consent
of the police authorities having been first obtained." And in any case
where a house of prostitution was established without this consent, or in
defiance of the public orders, the keeper was to be liable to one or two
years' imprisonment. The police are strictly commanded to keep all
tolerated houses under strict and constant _surveillance_; to make
frequent visits in company with medical men, so as to check the progress
of venereal disease; to prevent the sale of intoxicating liquors therein;
to see that no woman was introduced without the knowledge and permission
of the authorities, under a fine of fifty thalers, for each offense; and,
more especially, that no innocent female was, by force or deceit,
compelled or induced to live therein; which latter offense imposes "a
public exhibition," in the stocks or pillory, we presume, and from six to
ten years' imprisonment, with "welcome and farewell," on the keeper, who
was not to be allowed to keep such a house again under any circumstances.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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