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33
Venereal Diseases.
The number of new cases of venereal disease dealt with by the hospitals under
the London and Home Counties Scheme during 1926 was 17,724, of which 5,738
were syphilis, 11,683 gonorrhoea, and 303 soft chancre. Comparing these figures
with those of the previous year it will be observed that the total number of new
cases dealt with is 222 more than in 1925.
Year. Syphilis. Gonorrhoea. Soft chancre. Non-venereal. Total.
1925 5,902 11,321 279 8,680 26,182
1926 5,738 11,683 303 8,988 26,712
Increase+ or decrease +362 +362 +308 +530
The distribution of new cases of venereal disease between the sexes is shown in
the following table, the figures for the preceding years being given for comparison.
It will be seen that in the case of syphilis the figures for 1926 are the lowest recorded
since the scheme first came into operation.
New cases. ,
Total venereal
Year. Syphilis. Soft chancre. Gonorrhoea. cases.
M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F.
1917 4,427 3,351 199 11 3,830 1,207 8,456 4,569
1918 3,764 3,002 116 13 4,844 1,940 8,724 4,955
1919 6,394 3,391 463 18 10,441 2,440 17,298 5,849
1920 6,988 3,579 766 25 10,669 2,427 18,423 6,031
1921 5,088 3,100 458 13 8,573 2,136 14,119 5,249
1922 4,207 2,600 309 12 8,233 2,402 12,749 5,014
1923 4,497 2,631 311 4 9,043 2,520 13,851 5,155
1924 4,174 2,452 301 4 8,565 2,785 13,040 5,241
1925 3,556 2,346 268 11 8,464 2,857 12,288 5,214
1926 3.725 2,013 301 2 8,825 2,858 12,851 4,873
Importance is attached to the necessity of securing the regular attendance
of patients at the clinics, more especially in the case of gonorrhoea, and efforts to
secure the requisite provision of facilities for intermediate treatment at times
other than during the hours of the clinic are meeting with considerable success.
A number of patients still fail to complete the full course of treatment considered
necessary before final discharge, due in no small measure to the false impression
that a cure has been effected on the disappearance of outward signs of the disease.
The need for improving conditions likely to cause patients to discontinue attendance
at the clinics or to transfer them from one clinic to another continues to receive
careful attention.
The total attendances were 687,075, and the ratio of attendances to venereal
cases is in the proportion of 38 attendances to each new case. This figure shows
a considerable advance over that for previous years and is noteworthy when it
is borne in mind that in those countries where venereal diseases are compulsorily
notifiable, the ratio of attendances to new cases has never been greater than the figures
which are shown for London under the voluntary system adopted in this country.
Comparative figures for the ten years during which the scheme has been in force
are shown in the following Table :—
Ratio of
attendances.