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1914]
84

VENEREAL DISEASES.
The 21 deaths registered from Venereal Diseases is an unsatisfactory
return, for it is two above that of 1913, four above that of 1912, and eight
above that of 1911. It is also four in excess of the average of the preceding
12 years.
In actual figures the increase may not seem large, but when one recollects
that these are only deaths, and not cases, and that among these deaths were
17 infants under a year old, and also that the deaths represented only a
small proportion of the number of cases of the disease, it will be seen that a
small increase is a matter of concern.
Syphilis in children is to be reached only if the mothers can be prevailed
upon to come to a hospital, to a School for Mothers, or to similar places, for
treatment while carrying their children, for treatment of the mother has its
effect on the infant, and consequently both may be cured at the same time.
An examination recently made on behalf of the Local Government Board
in the East End of London showed that practically a half per cent, (actually
0.45 per cent.) of 660 infants tested for syphilis showed a reaction to the test.
This subject is at present engaging very serious attention, and it is a
good omen to find that the Local Government Board has caused a well-known
bacteriologist to report on the matter