CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924 — Page 204

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These figures were authorised for publication by the Surgeon General, U.S.Army, Washington, D/C, March 1920)

The following extract from the U.3.Naval Medical Bulletin, June 1923 (p.748) is another indication of the high incidence of the venereal disoases in those places in which prostitution is regulated

"In Constantinople, prostibution is practised probably to as great, or perhaps a greater, extent than in any city of its size in the world, clandestinely as well as in houses of prostitution. The Turkish laws requiring registration of those who practise prostitution are excellent, but are not enforced, The records shew that there are about 2,800 regis- tered prostitutes, but the number practising prostitution will probably reach 20,000 or more, It is intorosting to note that during 1922 there were 3,500 cases of venereal disease treated in the venereal disease hospital in Constantinople, representing 11 nationalities, none of whom were Turks. view of these conditions and in viow of the groat number of cases of venereal disease which developed within the first month after our arrival it was necessary to apply more strin- gent measures regarding prophylactic treatment.

11

In

In a Fleet Circular issued by the Chief of Staff of the U.3.Asiatic Fleet on May 4th, 1923, he indicated that the incidence of venereal disease among the American crews of the Asiatic Station is higher than elsewhere. In all the ports of this Station there is tolerated or regulated prostitution and the incidence of venereal disease has risen, in spite of modical measures taken by the Fleet, as follows

Date.

1919

1920

1921

1922

Per cont of total ad- missions.

26.49

37.88

46.01

44.06

Annual rate per 1,000.

187.87

295.256

314.195

368.916

(Figures taken from U...Naval Medical Bulletin,

July 1923, p.87. )

The following are extracts from the U.S.Naval Medical Bulletin, April 1923

"From experience gained on the Pacific Coast, it is believed that the lowering of venereal disease rates on board ship depenis principally upon the activities of public health officials, the police and social hygiene workers of the com- munity in which liberty is granted.

In the campaign waged in Southern California, the officials broke up the Red Light Districts, closed the so- called Coffee Houses, and arrested, examined and treated every infected prostituto. The Venereal Disease rates immediately dropped off at San Diego, San Pedro and in the Pacific Fleet".

The veneroal disease rate has been high, owing tu the fact that this vessel has been in Chinese, Japanese, and Siberian Ports a great part of the time. However, the percentage of the crew infected has been at a minimum during the latter part of the year, whilst stationed in Philippine waters. This is duo to the fact that houses of prostitution in the Philippine Islands have been closed.

(SAL, OR.)

20.3.24.

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