The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-08-27
Venereal Disease
and Marriage

We find in the annual report of DR.
Bowdoin, Director. Venereal Disease
Control in Georgia, that about so per
cent Of the venereal diseases reported
were found In the 20 to 80 year age
period. We also find, based on the
Government census report of 1910 for
Georgia, that 1t Is a conservative es-
innate to say that fully so per cent
of the marriages are contracted by
parties within this same age period,
20 to 80 years.
Therefore, 1t seems that at this
time of all times of ones life every
possible step should be taken, both
educational and legislative, to offer
protection to the innocent who would
otherwise become victims of these
much, and deserve to be, dreaded dis
eases.
The school offers the surest way Of
combating successfully the venereal
disease situation Education will form
permanent barrier against these
enemies of mankind. The boy and
the girl, the young man and the young
woman should be~given full knowl-
edge of the character of, and the de-
structive power of these diseases,
striking necessarily at the very foun-
dation stone of the human race. A
course in the high school and college
required for a degree from that insti-
tuticn would be an incentive to the
graduates for enlistment in the cam
paign for the eradication of venereal
diseases. 1t would be instrumental in
stimulating public opinion and COM
munity interest in the demand that it's
citizens be free Of venereal infection.
OF course, there would be many who
could not be reached by this program
in the school. Then legislation would
become necessary. There is bill be-
fore the General Assembly of Georgia
now awaiting Us final reading. This
bill provides that the male before he
will be able to secure the marriage IL
cense must present a certificate show
ing that he is free of venereal dis
ease. This is important legislation in
that 1t insures protection to the life
of the citizens and the happiness of
their homes and the health of their
progeny.
The State owes 1t to its citizens to
see that their health and lives are pro-
tected from vensreal disease just as
1t guarantees their protection from
enemies Of other kinds. The citizens
have right to demand that their
State pass legislation that would in
sure their health, for without such
legislation a large number of the in
nocent will continue to become vic
TINS of these horrible diseases,
through the carelessness and ignor-
ance Of those by whom they are trans
mitted. The bill awaiting action Is
q long step In the right direction.
Every young woman who before
marriage does not require her lover to
present health certificate that he is
free of venereal infection Is taking q
big risk in having her dreams of a
happy married life considerably upset.
In many, many instances 1t Is found
in reality to be one OF untold suffer
ing and Ill health. often necessitating
the surgeon and nurse. and one IN
which the offspring is not without
blemish. because Of venereal infection
in the husband at the time OF mar.
riage. &%
The State Board of Health has it's
laboratories equipped to make exam
nations for the presence of these We.
nereal diseases free of any cost to
those desiring such examinations
Their only requirement Is that the
specimens for these examinations
come through your physician. The
State Board Of Health stands ever
ready to be Of service to the people OF
the State in the promotion Of their
health.