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APPENDIX.
VENEREAL DISEASES.
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REPORT BY THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH ON THE VENEREAL
DISEASES SCHEME.
The joint venereal diseases scheme for London and the Home Counties having been in operation
for four years, it was considered both by the Ministry of Health and the participating authorities concerned
that it was desirable to make careful enquiries into the existing arrangements with a view to
considering any modifications which experience had shown to be necessary.
After consultation with Sir George Newman, the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health,
it was agreed that a representative of the Ministry (Brevet-Colonel L. W. Harrison, D.S.O., M.B.) and
Dr. F. N. K. Menzies, representing the Council, should carry out a joint inspection of the clinics. With
this object in view, they visited all the hospital clinics and hostels at which the work is being carried
on, and their observations are embodied in the following statement which corresponds with one on similar
lines which is being submitted to the Ministry of Health. Reference is made in the statement to
questions such as "stillbirths," "publicity" and the " social aspects " of the venereal diseases
problem, which will no doubt be read with considerable interest by those who are taking part in
the campaign against these diseases.
The report which, for presentation to the Council, is signed only by Dr. Menzies, a principal
assistant medical officer in the Public Health Department, has been prepared jointly by him and Colonel
Harrison. As the Committee are aware, Colonel Harrison's position in relation to the question of
venereal disease is one of world-wide eminence and the value of the report both to the Council and to
the general public is greatly enhanced by the fact of his collaboration.
W. H. HAMER,
Medical Officer of Health.
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