The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-11-15
War Social Hygiene
BY Frederick J. iaskin

The prevalence Of veneral diseases
has long been a world problem IN
hygiene, the s)lutioH Of which is made
exceedingly difficult by piudery and
politics From a scientific viewpoint
these diseases constitute the one group
o. communicable maladies against which
civilized society has built no organized
defense.
The devasting effect OF veneral dis
ease upon the efficiency Of armies has
been terribly demonstrated in Europe
during the present war. Although no
exact figures are available, it is stated
on good authority that ore Of the pow
ers engaged had more soldiers incapaci-
tated by these diseases than by the
casualties of battle during the early
stages of the war. Another reliable re-
port is that 70, 600 cases of yenereal dis
ease existed at one time in one of the
Allied armies, while 40 per cent. of
some of the Entente regiments were
infected.
The United States government had an
impressive experience of this evil dur
ing the disorder of hasty mobilization,
when troops were first sent to the MeXi
can border. The War Department in
this case announced policy which was
opposed to the liberation of commercial
lized vice IN the neighborhood of mill
tary camps; but il had no adequate
powers whereby to enforce this policy
and was further hampered by the ex-
listing military tradition on the subject
This tradition in practically all countries
has been that commercialized vice is a
necessary EVIL of military life. The re
suit was that in the vicinities of many
of the border camps commercialzed
vice fiourished.
Long rows of buildings were erected
for the express purpose of harboring
vicious women. Ia some instances
soldiers were stationed as guards in
these buildings and in the restricted
areas. In at least two instances houses
were established within the lines of
military camps and under military con-
troll
Such were conditions on the border at
their worst. The War Department had
also examples of how repressive meas
ures work for military efficiency. One
of these was large camp in the vicin-
ity of two small towns. Here saloons
and disorderly houses tried to establish
themselves, but were promptly sup
pressed by the commanding officer, who
did not technically have the authority
to do so but assumed it on the ground
of military efficiency. One saloonkeeper
defed this officer and opened his doors.
A guard was stationed at this establish
ment to see that it was not patronized
by any soldiers. After a week with no
business the saloon was closed. Public
women in these towns were given one
hour to pack their belongings and were
then escorted to the train.
This officers experiment in the re-
preston of vice showed that from a
military point-of-yiew such measures
are practicable and effective. There
was very little venereal disease in this
command, nor was any discomfort evil
dent On the contrary, the men were
wont to express pride in the fact that
they belonged to 'clean bunch"
The experiment proved what students
of vice have long known, that tire ex-
istence Of open establishments for that
purpose attract many men who would
not otherwise be EXPOSED 10 disease
and also lowers the r4c military
camp or other large boz. men. in its