84 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



On discussing this case with a lady much interested in 

 rescue work, a visitor at the Lock Hospital, she suggested that 

 it might be possible to induce the Government to institute an 

 inquiry as a prelude to more energetic action against the wide- 

 spread mischief caused by Venereal Diseases, provided ample 

 evidence of the necessity for such a course could be submitted, 

 evidence both from members of the medical profession and 

 from men and women interested in social work, who knew and 

 thoroughly appreciated the vital importance to the national 

 health of some such action. As a result of this conversation 

 she was given an introduction to Mr. (now Sir) Victor Horsley, 

 and in conjunction with him, in 1897, started the work which 

 finally led to the appointment of the late Royal Commission. 



After a good deal of preliminary spade work, carried out 

 under the advice of various persons interested in the matter, 

 among whom the following ladies and gentlemen were prom- 

 inent — Adeline, Duchess of Bedford, Lady St. Helier, the late 

 Lady F. Brudenell Bruce, Mrs. H. Bonham Carter, Mrs. R. P. 

 Wethered, Mr. (now Sir) Victor Horsley, Dr. Mott, the late Col. 

 Long, M.P., the late Rev. A. Brinckman, Mr. (now Sir C.) Loch, 

 Mr. Donaldson Rawlins, K.C., and Mr. Archibald Allen — a 

 memorial, the object of which was to obtain the appointment 

 of a Royal Commission to inquire into the Prevalence and 

 Effect of Venereal Diseases in this country, was drawn up. 



A meeting of representatives of Ladies' Rescue Associations, 

 of Workhouse Girls' Aid Committees, and of single workers 

 was held on January 19, 1898. At this meeting the following 

 resolution, among others, was proposed and carried — " That 

 this meeting, consisting of representative rescue workers, lady 

 guardians, matrons of homes and hospitals, and others, believes 

 the national danger mentioned in the Memorial to be real and 

 grave, and is strongly of opinion that a Royal Commission 

 should be appointed to inquire into the subject." This Me- 

 morial was signed by representatives of eight Rescue Associa- 

 tions, ninety-six women engaged in social work, seventy-two 

 men, representative of all classes, and fifty- two members of 

 the medical profession holding official positions, and was pre- 

 sented to the late Lord Salisbury, who was then Prime Minister, 

 in 1899. He, however, took no action upon it, because he 

 considered that public opinion was not sufficiently informed 

 and enlightened on this important matter. 



