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in promiscuous sexual intercourse to adopt this disinfection in order to avoid disease,
which he may pass on to innocent people. The poster has the same wording. On the
back of the leaflet are simple directions respecting (i) immediate self-disinfection,
(2) delayed self-disinfection, and the advice (3) if any symptoms of disease arise
immediately to consult a doctor or attend one of the special clinics at a hospital.
Posters respecting (3) are also exhibited.
Although any fairly intelligent youth or man can very easily carry out the
simple directions, human machinery like other machinery is not fool-proof. Much
venereal disease is the sequel of foolish indulgence in alcoholic beverages, and if a
man will so render himself temporarily idiotic or imbecile he probably then would
be unable to carry out efficiently direction (1), therefore the directions (2) and (3)
are also given.
At a very largely attended meeting of the S.P.V.D. at the Mansion House,
the Lord Mayor of London in the Chair, on February 5th, 11)20, resolutions recommending
the above methods were carried unanimously.
A Special Enquiry by a Committee of the National Birth Rate Commission
consisting of 20 eminent men and women, with the Bishop of Birmingham as Chairman,
took place last year, and in a recent Report recommended action similar to that
already taken by the Holborn Council. I had the honour last December of giving
evidence at this Enquiry.
As correct teaching respecting continence is most important 1 prepared for
that Special Enquiry a brief written Thesis, indicating from physiological, pathological
and historical considerations, the following conclusions :—
"Although Nature's law of reproduction renders early marriage at maturity
Nature's ideal for securing a healthy virile race, it is probable that sexual continence,
not only before such early marriages, but even in the celibate of both sexes,
is consistent with healthy, mental and bodily activity."