Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1918-05-10
SOME TRUTHS ABOUT OUR
SELVES

Among 10000 of this country's
men between twenty and thirty years
of age, more than A per cent were re-
iected at the first Selective Draft be-
cause they were obviously infected
with veneral disease.
Furthermore than 7 per cent
were later rejected at certain camps
for the same reason.
And again, special test of over
1000 newly enlisted men coming from
cities and country towns in East and
South and Midwest, proved 1877 per
cent infected with syphilis.
"How does that happen!" you ask,
81 thought that we have a good me-
dical department in the army?" We
have. And our military regulations
for controlling veneral diseases in the
army rate from 1888 to 67 per 1000
in twelve weeks, last Fall. But the
facts given above do not relate to oc-
currences under military rule. The
rate rose from SO to 388 when the
men arrived from 'hOme towns, or
from stOp-overs on their way to camp.
The infections occurred in civilian cir
cumstances. The responsibility Is
largely civilian.
The Surgeon General of the Army
has on several occasions pointed out
this responsibility. Said General
Co,.cr,, -, b;c 1o+oc+ InDOr+.
"Veneral diseases have never had
their origin in military reServa-
tons. but rather in the laXly
governed civil communities sur
rounding many army posts, where
ignorance of conditions and indif-
ference or something even worse
on the part Of local authorities, have
conduced to widespread infection
not only>of the civil population, but
of the the soldiers as well.'
There it is. But we did not hear
nor heed until over $1,000 cases were
found among the new recruits. War
magnifed the facts $1,000 diameters.
Some are facing the situation, and
acting. Seventy-five cities have closed
their "Red Light" districts-a long
step toward checking the spread Of
infection. The placing out of bounds"
of cities near camps, which Secretary
of War Baker threatened last year if
they failed to suppress vice and
liquor, has several times been en-
forced-with prompt salutary effect.
In no case has it been necessary yet
to move a camp from its first loca-
tion-as would have been done had
its cities not cOoperated with the
Government in such protection of the
troops.
This is the immediate necessity. 1t
is also a necessity for our individual
and social welfare. Syphilis is one
of the four greatest killing diseases,
saws Sir William Osler. "There is as
much syphilis as consumption in an
average community, according to U.
S. Army studies; "Gonorrhea is the
most prevalent Of all diseases except
measles; one Of the most dangerous
and difficult to cure x 1t is the
cause of 80 per cent of the blindness
in newborn babies"
The conditions constitute a public
health emergency.
1t is necessary that your city Of
ficers suppress prostitution. This
will check the main source of infec-
ton. You probably have now more
laws than are enforced. Use them.
It is necessary that your board of
health secure reports of cases; open
clinics; isolate feebleminded prosti-
tutes. and find safe work for girls
who want to earn a clean living.
Help them.
This will secure to the next genera
tion its due heritage of clean helath'
clean ideals and opportunity.