CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924 — Page 193

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BELGIUM.

Regulation is maintained somewhat on the lines of the French system of police regulation recognised houses, morals police and registration. Almost a year ago an active anti-venereal disease campaign was instituted and the modern policy of popular enlightenment and universal facilities for treatment pressed forward. There is now an active movement on foot to suppress regulated prostitution. The present system, it is urged, is not as effective as it might be because regu- lation reacts unfavourably on the treatment centres.

In Brussels about 10% of the population has, or had had, syphilis: of those under 25 years of age the figure is given as 15%.

This means that in Brussels there are betweon 70-80,000 persons who havo, or have had, syphilis.(5). In the whole of Belgium between 300-400,000 persons have, or have had, syphilis: from these figures, be it noted, do not include those suffering from gonorrhoea, which is invariably more prevalent than syphilis.

A provisional estimate puts the annual mortality from syphilis at 8,000 and from hereditary syphilis at 4,000, a total of 13,000. (6)

This indicates that under the regulation system venereal diseases were extremely prevalent. A year ago the modern system of general facilities for treatment and enlightenment were adopted and already considerable improvement is reported.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

Czocho Slovakia borrowed from the old Austrian system under which prostitution was forbiddon under the Civil Act of 1885, par.5, though the police could, under certain conditions, tolerate it and issue regulations. In 1922 the system of re- gulation was abolished, brothel keeping became a penial offence and a Public Health Act was passed at the same time making provision for facilities for treatment for the population as a whole - free to the poor. The treatment was provided under confidential conditions, anonymous notification only required under certain conditions. The wilful exposure of others to infection is dealt with by quarantining the infected person who refused to carry out medical instructions,

DENMARK.

Since 1788 facilities for the free treatment for venereal diseases have been provided to the poor at hospitals. Modern medical progress omphasised the need for early treatment, therefore, outpatient treatment, both at hospitals and at private clinics, is now provided,

The regulation of prostitution was abolished in 1906.

It is believed in Denmark that all who are infected have for some years received treatment; thanks to the admirable Jersild system of anonymous notification, therefore, the figures given of persons under treatment coincide more accurately than elsewhere with the incidenco of diseaso.

Bruxelles Modical La lutte contre venerienne en

Belgique,Professor Bayet, 1922.

(5)

(6)

Ibid.