Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-11

the state of a farm home for socially
diseased persons are ONE of the
things Montana should have to prevent
the spread of destructive infection
among the populace and to prevent the
degeneration of the younger set, de-
clared DR.. Fred r. Foard. of the
United States public health service. in
q paper read before the fourth annua
convention of the Montana Public
Health association Monday afternoon
at the Junior high school.
With delegates assembled from all
parts Of the state, the convention
opened Monday morning at the Junior
high school. where meetings of the four
divisions of the association were held.
together with discussions on all phases
Of public health work led by public
health leaders of the state. The Mon
tana Tuberculosis association and the
section Of public health nursing com
bined sessions with the section of pub
lie health administration in order that
the demand on the part of those who
attended to hear the talks of all speak
ers might be met. The progress that
has been made in public health work in
all branches and the program for the
future were outlined in talks by public
health officials from all parts of the
state.
The paper read by DR.. Foard fol-
lows. in part:
W have heard mention made from
time to time of the social problem of
the state of Montana, as indicated by
the prevalence Of the so-called social
diseases. Due to the lack of a law
in this state until very recent years
which requires the reporting of ven
ereal disease as q public health meas
ure. it is impossible to say whether
venereal diseases are materially in
crossing or decreasing in Montana.
\ large percentage of the laity of the
state probably question the present
venereal disease problem as being a
state or community problem at all,
or as being Il social or public health
menace. While | would not venture
to say that social conditions in this
state. as indicated by the prevalence
rf vennreal disease, are any worse or
rven so bad as in some other states Of
the country. the fact that there exists
a social problem in Montana which
needs the concerted action of all the
people of the state to combat it, is
very evident to those of us who are in
public health work and are more or
less familiar with conditions as they
are.
society HELD responsible
This fact must likewise he acknow-
lodged by any one who will he troubled
to make a personal investigation or to
inquire of those who are in position
to know. Acknowledging the existence
of a social problem in this state.
whether it be great or small. it's mere
presence is directly or indirectly by
permission of society.
..Thaco hn,,,,pr p,nroJ laEpo,arto
are left by society to fight alone that
hardest of individual battles. the battle
for the reclamation of a good name.
q healthy and strong body. a peaceful
mind and an accepted social standing in
critical society. which too often IS
prone to condemn rather than to on
sole or to lend a helping hand.
Our defensive war against venereal
disease in America. more deadly in the
long run than bullets, is still being
fought at home and is far from being
won. However little progress we may
have so far made against our intra-
national enemy. the one important
thing that our preparation for war
was the strength of the n at home.
While the cases Of venereal disease
reported in this state probably do not
represent more than 50 per cent Of the
actual number Of cases existing. the
state records for 1919 show that there
were 1.132 cases reported in that year
and l.527 cases reported in 1920. The
%bi-annual report Of the state board Of
health for 1921 % will not be pub
lished until next year. but it will he
interesting at that time TO know if VEN
ereal disease is continuing to increase
or is decreasing.
Present System Inadequate
With insufficient time to GO into
detail. I will say that the only course
for protecting the public. temporarily.
has been resorted to. They have beer
thrown into the county or city Jail.
whore they have been treated until
their infections were no longer de-
tectable. and then they have been re-
leased. in some instances without
money to buy food or clothing. without
n place to sleep, work to do by which
they could earn a living. or a friend TO !
20 to for help other than the old as
sociates who put them there and to
whom their only resort is to sell their
soul for money to buy the necessities
of life
As indicated by the analysis of the
above two studies. and>by many SINH
lar studies. better living conditions.
hblHp eHNlIcUUlfHtS more du-
vancSd general educational facilities
for the poorer classes. the early cor
rec>ion Of physical defects during child
hood. Il better living wage for the la
boring classes. carefully supervised
aesssment for growing boys and girls
Pc, teaching of sex hygiene in the
are all important factors in
u sa@|at scheme for social improve
- are all ideals that may some
realized. after which we may
ne ger have social problems such
rs 5se of the present. confronting
rs he realization Of such ideals. |
er. is in the far future and.
tH ~ the aim Of the present civiliza-
should be with the above idenls
immediate consideration should
ls..slyen. and efforts directed 10 the
q fug Of such girls as have just been
,GSorted above. many of whom come
~ environments Of ignorance and
Should Be Given a Chance
Il has Been stated by many prom
ncat students Of sociology that more
han 90 per cent of such girls and
start their careers of il-fame !
,efore reaching the age of 20. Wbeth-
r I'VE accept such a statement or not. !
'itn every indication pointing 10 mental !
nd physical illness. poverty and ig-
l., 80 ,nn ne 49,