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The soldiers and Sailors, R.N., would derive great benefit from the proposed prophylactic Measures, as from each Commanding Officer it could be ascertained which of their men had become affected; The Boatmen and Boat Keepers could be held responsible for their Ledgers, merely by notifying the Police that they had or had not the Disease; I would respectfully suggest that the Masters of all ships arriving in the Harbour should, previous to any communication with the shore, be compelled to deliver to some authorised person a Bill of Health, and such Bill should specify the means taken to prevent the spread of Venereal Diseases, and by such means I think the Disease might be checked, most of the bad Cases seen by me, have been imported from the Colonies! The disease is now on the increase and I trust that you may be enabled to carry into effect your proposed and much needed Ordinance. I would also suggest that all sailors shipping from this Colony should, previous to embarkation, be medically inspected.
I have, &c.
(Signed) Russell Dempster, M.D.
Colonial Surgeon.
The Colonial Secretary.
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