Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-09-24
Venereal Disease
and Marriage

We find in the annual report of DR.
Bowdoin, Director, Venereal Disease
Control in Georgia. that about so pei
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 FOL
Georgia, that it is a conservative es
innate to say that fully so per cen
of the marriages are contracted b!
parties within this same age period
20 to 80 years.
Therefore, it seems that at thii
time of all times of ones life ever!
possible step should be taken, boil
educational and legislative, to offel
protection to the innocent who woulC
otherwise become victims of thes'
much, and deserve to be, dreaded dis
eases
The school offers the surest way o.
combating successfully the venerea
disease situation. Education will form
q permanent barrier against these
enemies of mankind The boy anC
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
dalton stone OF the human race. A
course in the high school and college
required for a degree from that insti
tuition 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 its
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 Georges
now awaiting its final reading This
bill provides that the male before he
will be able to secure the marriage Ii
cense must present certificate show
ing that he is free of venereal dis
ease. This is important legislation in
that it insures protection to the life
of the citizens and the happiness OF
progeny.
The State owes it to it's citizens to
see that their health and lives are pro
tected from venereal disease just as
1t guarantees their protection from
enemies of other kinds. The citizens
have a 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
a long step in the right direction
Every young woman who before
marriage does not require her lover to
present a health certificate that he is
free of venereal infection is taking a
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 its
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.
Now is the time to use Typhoid
Vaccine; have you taken your shot?
Make your premises sanitary and have
your physician give you the three
doses OF Typhoid Vaccine prepared by
the Georgia State Board of Health.
It makes us shudder to think of the
number Of babies in Georgia who will