Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-02-14

Laws Held Necessary
To Curb Infections
Lack of an adequate communicable
disease quarantine law and an in
crease in promiscuity due to quick
and comparatively painless" treat
ment of yenereal diseases were
cited yesterday to the Social Hygiene
Society of the District as factors
which have hampered the drive to
stamp out venereal infections here.
DR.. William P. Herhst, president of
the society. outlined the handicaps
facing health and civic authorities
in eradicating the diseases as the
group observed its annual Social
Hygiene Day luncheon at the
YWCA.
DR.. Herbst said the Health De-
partment is severely handicapped
through lack Of well-defined, work
able legislation to require those with
venereal disease to take proper
treatment. An increasing number of
suspected disease carriers are refus-
ing to take treatment, he declared.
Legislation of the type advocated by
DR.. Herbst and the Health Depart
ment is now before Congress.
Cures Remove Fears.
While more rapid cures have been
made possible by the sulfa drugs,
penicillin and intensive arsenical
treatments, signifying real gains"
in public health protection, DR..
Herbst declared that "the arrival of
quick and comparatively painless
treatment" of venereal diseases have
removed the "old fear deterrent.
AS result there is noticeable in
crease in re-infections, he said.
Ray H. Everett, executive secre-
tary of the society, said the end of
war was a good thing for many
girls here who now will return to
their home towns and marry.
Washington is not good marry
ing city, he said, due to the pre-
ponderance of women over men.
THE competition is too keen for
some girls" he said, "and as a re-
suit they can't find husband"
Greater Chance at Home.
Once they return to their homes
and re-establish social contacts,
they will stand a much greater
chance Of marrying than IL they
stay here, Mr.. Everett said.
Mr.. Everett also hailed the recent
Supreme Court decision in the Es-
quire case. He said flew Post Of
flee officials" were guilty of intel
lectual intolerance" in seeking to-
ban the magazine from second-class
mailing privileges.
"They sought to make the United
States one great Boston, he said.
Mr.. Everett disagreed with the
opinion of a prominent New York
psychiatrist who last week was re-
ported to have said that IS per cent
of all marriage difficulties stem
from sexual maladjustment.
THAT simply isn't So" Mr.. Everett
said. Economic problems cause
most marriage difficulties. Sexual
maladjustment rates as the second
factor"
Alan tombstone, chief counsel Of
the Federal Works Agency, told the
group the Federal Government
should protect members of its armed
forces by enacting and enforcing
Federal regulations outlawing pros
titution in military areas.
Slum Conditions Cited.
An honorary life membership in
the American Social Hygiene Asso-
citation was awarded the Right Rev.
John M. Cooper of Catholic Uni
versity. z
Among those attending the ses-
sion were Capt. Rhoda Millikin Of
the Police Department, Health Of
ficer George G. Rutland and Juve-
nile Court Judge Fay L. Bentley.
In addition to the factors listed by
DR.. Herbst on the liability side of
the hygiene ledger in combating
syphilis and gonorrhea, other rea-
sons given were: Bad slum areas
and housing which serves as res
ervoir for infection and delinquency,
broken homes due. to divorce, lack
of prenatal law" requiring blood
tests of every expectant mother and
insufficient use of medical social
service both in public and private
institutions.
These positive factors in the vene-
real disease battle were listed as
aiding the fight: Effectiveness Of
treatment, continuance of strict
police enforcement against COM
mercialized vice here, generous COW
erage by newspapers and radio of
social hygiene problems, high stand
ards of Washington Pharmaceutical
Association and the refusal of its
member druggists to sell any prepa-
rations for venereal disease treat
ment save on q prescription basis,