The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-07-05

To the Editor of the Pacific Commercial Advertiser :
SIR At the present time, when sanitary meas
sures are with go much ~propriety under discussion
here, it is undoubtedly interesting TO find other
countries expressing their ideas on the same subject.
1t may be therefore, for at least q portion of your
intelligent readers. agreeable to know what steps in
this direction have been taken in that great exhibit
ton of the worlds industry and science at Vienna.
I have extracted and translated some of the princi-
pal points which will be under discussion at the In
terna,ional Medical Congress at Vienna, from the list
to the 9Th of September. 1879. Delegates from all
governments and scientific corporations, universities,
medical associations, hospitals, physicians or scienti-
6c men in general, are permitted to enlist. The ses-
sions are to be public. The executive committee
have SO far particularized the following main subjects
of discussion in their programme
Il. The question of vaccination.
i .. The question of prostitution.
8. The question of quarantine in regard to cholera.
d Propositions for the introduction OF an interna-
tional pharmacopeia. and also for the introduction
of the most possible uniformity In the study OF medl-
cine in all countries. -.
The discussions are permitted to be made IN all
languages, although the German is the prevailing,
but the account of the TRANSACTIONS, (reports, etc. J
will be translated into the French, English ana Itai-
ian languages.
Besides the question of vaccination in its different
notifications and results, the question of prophy-
laxis of syphilis, (being in my opinion so intimately
connected with leprosy) and the regulation of pros
titution, is for our islands at the present time par
! ticularly interesting, and l offer you, sir, a brief
translation of the remarks and the points to be con-
sidered
at is generally known, that in all countries the
great increase of syphilitic diseases, not alone as
contagious, frequently malignant and continued, but
also as Unbeatable evils, endanger the welfare OF IN
dividuals, of families, and of the state, IN constantly
increasing extent.
"The conviction exists everywhere, that only by
an early suppression and combat against this gigan-
tic increasing evil, disseminated amongst all classes
of society, O desirable result for the good Of man
kind can be accomplished.
GAS the causes of the production and propagation
of this disease, are to be considered Prostitution
in all its variations, and first of all, the secret also
the military and marine organizations the conta-
gion from nurses to infants /; also By vaccination,
and ritual circumcision, ETC., etc.
Considering these causes, 1t becomes evident that
only the administration OF government can. by law
counterfeit the contamination of this disease.
"The earliest and most careful treatment by vel
educated physicians is to be attended TO, in such
manner that the patients themselves consider 1t FOL
their own interests, and therefore the best possible
means in the administration of such laws are to OF
considered, so as not to bear the character of shame
menace and punishment of the patients. Medlca
aid must be made easy of access IN institutions regu
larry established by Law or in hospitals. Those onlJ
are to be punished who do not accept the offered as
sistsnce, or retract from II, ana commune 10 uIsseuf
mate the disease.
According to the above remarks, an internationa
law is to be propounded, particularly containing tn
following points: -,
81. Systematic control over prostitution, in which
the system as introduced in Belgium might be tn
model.
"2. Control of the military in this respect.
90. Supervision of nurses and infants in the pub
lie remedial institutions.
"a. Strict supervision Of vaccination.
o5 Unconditional reception of all syphilitic per
sons in public medical institutions, where Their
ought to be separate divisions for the same, as ais
separate rooms for prostitutes.
SO. Institution Of regulation places, situated so a
not to interfere with the social position OF the dis
eased.
: 81. The medical attendants to convey as far a
| possible a knowledge of the results of this great ev
l to patients, etc.
: "strict punishment of prostitutes who neglect
, seek the offered medical aid T. l..