An interesting survey of venereal disease conditions has recently been made in Switzerland by Dr. Jaeger involving the obtaining of a return as to persons under treatment for venereal disease from all the doctors practising in the country. Venereal Disease is not notifiable but a confidential return was invited. There is no regulation of prostitution except in the canton and town of Geneva. The modern policy of providing ample facilities for treatment is in operation in Switzerland and treatment centres exist in most of the large towns. 75% of all the venereal disease specialists in Switzerland replied to the questionnaire issued. Among much other interesting information elicited was the outstanding fact that Geneva, the one town in which regulation existed, had the highest incidence of disease per population and this in spite of the fact that 80% of the medical practitioners in Bale replied to the questionnaire while only 55% of those in Geneva replied.
The following table gives the number of persons under treatment per 10,000 of population during the period October 1920 - September, 1921.
| Town | Number of persons under treatment per 10,000 |
|---|---|
| Geneva | 106 |
| Bale | 95 |
| Zurich | 60 |
| Lucerne | 24 |
The following gives the number of various infections in the cantons for the same period.
| Canton | Total No. of Infections | Infections due to Prostitutes |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva | 1,079 | 514 |
| Bale | 508 | 183 |
| Zurich | 989 | 428 |
The general incidence of venereal disease for the country for the period in question was 17.3 per 10,000; the proportion varied from 63.3 per 10,000 in Geneva to 3% per 10,000 in Schwyz. 40% of disease was attributable to prostitution.
Regulation is contrary to law and though for a time Red Light Districts were tolerated in some States they have now been abolished everywhere.
In 1916 of the 320 brothel women in San Francisco only 3% failed to show signs of syphilis infection.
(13) Les maladies Veneriennes en Suisse d'apres les resultants de l'enquetto (1st Oct.1920 - Sept.30.1921) by Dr. H. Jaeger, Premier Asst. de la Clinique dermato-venerologique de l'Universite de Zurich.
(14) Ibid.
(15) Ibid.
(13) "V.D. Among Prostitutes" by Dr. G. Bates Social Hygiene, Vol.III.No.4, 1917.
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In 1903 when regulation was in force there were 936 women 191 registered in Stockholm, the same figure as that obtaining for 25 years previously. In 1912 there were only 554 women registered despite the fact that population during this period had considerably increased and consequently the demand for prostituees an instance of the failure of the policy of regulation to regulate more than a fraction of the total number of professional prostitutes.
SWITZERLAND.
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An interesting survoy of venereal disease conditions has recently boon made in Switzerland by Dr. Jaeger involving the obtaining of a return as to persons under treatment for venereal disease from all the doctors practising in the country. Venereal Disease is not notifiable but a confidential return was invited. There is no regulation of prostitution except in the canton and town of Geneva. The modern policy of providing amplo facilities for treatment is in operation in Switzerland and treatment centres exist in most of the large towns. 75% of all the venereal disease specialists in Switzerland replied to the questionnaire issued. Among much other interesting information elicited was the outstanding fact that Geneva, the one town in which regulation existed had the highbst incidence of disease per population and this in spite of the fact that 80% of the medical practitioners in Bale replied to the ques- tionnaire while only 55% of those in Geneva replied.
The following table gives the number of persons under treatment per 10,000 of population during the period October 1920 September, 1921
-
Geneva
Bale
...
106 95
60
24 (13)
infections in the
Zurich
Lucerne
The following gives the number of various cantons for the same period
Geneva
Bale
Zurich
Total No.of
Infoctions.
1,079
508
989
Infections due to
Prostitutes.
514
183
428 (14)
The genoral incidence of venereal disease for tho country for the period in question was 17.3 per 10,000; the proportion varied from 63.3 per 10,000 in Geneva to 3% per 10,000 in Schwyz. 40% of disease was attributable to prostitution. (15)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Regulation is contrary to law and though for a time Red Light Districts were tolerated in somo States they have now been abolished everywhere.
In 1916 of the 320 brothal women in San Francisco only 3% failed to shew signs of syphilis infection. (13)
(13) Les maladies Veneriennes en Suisse d'apres les resultants
de l'enquetto (1st Oct.1920 - Sopt.30.1921) by Dr. H. Jaoger, Premior Asst.de la Clinique dermato-venerologique de 1'Universito de Zurich.
(14) Ibid.
(15) Ibid.
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(13) "V.D. Among Prostitutos" by Dr. G.Bates Social Hygieno,
Vol.III.No.4,1917.
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