Venereal Diseases in New Zealand (1922): Report of the Special Committee of the Board of Health appointed by the Hon. Minister of Health — John Shaqi
Venereal Diseases in New Zealand (1922): Report of the Special Committee of the Board of Health appointed by the Hon. Minister of HealthNew Zealand. Committee of the Board of Health
History
Venereal Diseases in New Zealand (1922): Report of the Special Committee of the Board of Health appointed by the Hon. Minister of Health
New Zealand. Committee of the Board of Health
Sexually transmitted diseases -- New Zealand
If statistics could be obtained it would be probably found that the
system tends not only to increase disease, but the volume of sexual
immorality and crime. From the most materialistic point of view the
system is indefensible; while, looking at it from the moral aspect, it
is inconceivable that British people, who spent millions of money to
stop the traffic in black slaves, would ever officially countenance a
system which enslaves the souls as well as the bodies of its victims and
defiles the community in which it exists.
SECTION 4.--EXCLUSION OF VENEREAL CASES FROM OVERSEAS.
The Committee are of the opinion that by the strict exercise of the
provisions of section 111 of the Health Act, 1920, much may be done to
prevent introduction of venereal diseases from overseas. They suggest,
however, that where any person so suffering is required or permitted to
attend a clinic he should be accompanied by some responsible officer of
the ship, or person authorized by the shipping company concerned, and
that the question on the "Report of Master of the Ship" defined by
regulations--"Are you aware of the presence on board of any person
suffering from ... _(b)_ venereal disease?"--might be strengthened by
adopting the Australian quarantine service equivalent viz., "Is there
now or has there been on board during the voyage any person suffering
from demonstrable syphilis in an active condition, or other communicable
disease?"
The evidence given does not show that the number of venereal-diseases
cases already in the Dominion is greatly added to by the introduction of
cases from overseas. Since 1903 persons suffering from syphilis have
been "prohibited immigrants" within the meaning of the Immigration
Restriction Act.
SECTION 5.--PROPHYLAXIS.
Before discussing this question it is desirable clearly to distinguish
between the procedures which are included under this term. These are--
(1.) The supply of drugs and appliances which are made available
for use by the individual before exposure to infection. This may be
described as "anticipatory prophylaxis," and has commonly been
designated the "packet system."
The Committee condemn this procedure, for these reasons: (i) That
the system suggests a moral sanction to vice; (ii) that the
individual is lulled into a false sense of security, and may
thereby be encouraged repeatedly to expose himself to infection;
(iii) that the individual may be thereby deterred from seeking
early advice or treatment; (iv) that the drugs supplied may be used
for treating disease should it arise, and so delay may result in
seeking skilled treatment in the early stages when it is likely to
be most effective.
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