812
HEALTH COMMISSION
PUBLIC MEETING.
Rupert Hallam and Mrs. Neville 0.B.E., members of the N.C.C.V.D. mission, must have felt very highly fed at the large audience which an- ed in the Alhambra Theatre yester- afternoon at the meeting, which was of the series now being held in Sin- e. with the view of exciting public to combat the social scourge. illiam Murison presided and briefly Juced the speakers.
Hallam at the outset thanked the by for giving him the opportunity nouncing the objects of that Com- now visiting Singapore. They
obtain 7 to
their attention and tina subj which they thought f vital importance to those present ery other member of the community. abject, as they knew, was venereal which he thought they might look in the light of a public health pro- It was only a matter of a short of time that any interest had been in the subject, and one might say hat began with the appointment by tish Government of a Commission to fe into the problem. In 1915 that Com- gave very startling figures as to Hseases in Great Britain. They an- that one in every ten of all the
tions of the large towns had and a still larger percentage had hes. They also pointed out that atients suffering from the disease he workhouses, asylums and poor titutions.
Conditions in Singapore. hose conditions prevail in Singa- He was certain from what he had ad heard during the past few days y did. He had just obtained figures he local asylum for the insane and ed that just under half the men Fere suffering from syphilis and out of the 17 women were known ffering from the disease. He had ated several hospitals and he was to find such a large number of ents suffering from those diseases. Royal Commission not only pointed ravages of the disease amongst dation, but they also made certain ndations. These were to the effect tment should be given to all those at the expense of the country. Bo recommended that the general hould be educated to know the of venereal disease and also be with facilities for treatment.
Bas of Great Britain immediately d those figures and then for many hey published details which pre- had been unheard of. He would dey to pay a tribute to the Press fficient way they had tackled the
Combatable Measures.
Antiquity with the disease was often used as an excuse against any measure for combating it. Syphilis was a, amel Egern discovered in 1906, and its discovery led to a still further discoveries which eventually led to the finding of a drug, which had a miraculous affect on the disease, and it was that drug which the British Government were anxious should be used in every case of syphilis. It was their desire and also the desire of thn, Commission that some recommendations would be carried into effect in Singapore. It was no good having facilities for treat- ment unless they had the education of the public. They hoped all of those present. would take interest in the subject and pass on the information they gave them that day. The film to be presented that evening "Damaged Goods" only dealt with one of the diseases. The film was adapted from the well-known French play and dealt only with syphilis.
Necessity for Co-operation. Mrs. Neville Rolfe then addressed the meeting and said that it might seem rather | strange that the first public presentation of that subject should include among others who brought it to their notice – a woman, but they were concerned that the question should be considered both by men and wo- men to try and find a practical solution to an extremely difficult position. It was not a question that could be dealt with ia water tight compartments. The commu- nity as a whole must combine to find a solution. It was no longer a matter to which one attached any stigma with sy philis and gonorrhoea. It must be dealt with as tuberculosis and smail pox.
Legislation.
At the conclusion of the Commissioners* addresses Sir William Murison said they were very much obliged to them for their interesting and able addresses. They had addressed a good many meetings during the past few days, one of which was to the members of the Legislative Council and the reception to the views they put forward was most favourable. Sir William said he thought he could assure those present that before long there would be legisla tion in Singapore on the lines of treat- ment as indicated by the Commissioners. Singapore being collecting port and al- meet an international port, it was of the highest importance that it should not bo behind in such legislation.
Much interest was shown in the fil "Damage Goods," which was afterwar screened.
474
HEALTH COMMISSION
MEETINGS.
The following are the meetings unders Patronage of the Government of the Ste Settlements, which will be addressed by Rupert Hallam and Mrs. Neville Ed O.B.E., members of the N.C.C.V.D. Co mission, dispatched to the Eastern Po by the Colonial Office.
(Those meetings displayed in capitals an for the general public, the others ar sectional conferences for the various clased? concerned).
Saturday, January 22nd,
10.30 a.m. Y.M.C.A. Hall. AB English speaking teachers and parents cordially in vited.
2.30 p.m. The Muncipality Council Cha ber. All members of the medical facul cordially invited.
Monday, January 24th. 2.30 p.m. The Municipal Council Chaak- ber. The Municipal Commissioners and those interested in port administration.
9.15 p.m. Victoria Theatre. FILM DIS. PLAY. ALL MEMBERS OF THE 1 LISH
COMMUNITY