Around all the camps of England and France the great- 



T , „ f est enemy of the soldier is the diseased 



xi. o u- prostitute. Some of the finest British and 



the Soldier , . , . , , , 



, _ M colonial regiments have been seriously 



and Sailor «. , , ™, ^ ... t . 



affected, ine British government is 



now taking stern measures to protect its soldiers by 

 the establishment of health zones, and the keeping of 

 the men within certain bounds. In view of the special 

 temptations which will surround our new army in this 

 country and on the continent, the most earnest efforts 

 should be made to control the surroundings of encamp- 

 ments in this regard. 



Lieutenant-Colonel Frank R. Keefer, in his text-book on 

 n . . - "Military Hygiene and Sanitation," says: 



M .J. " Venereal infections are responsible for an 



. ,. J. enormous amount of sickness in the army — 



Authorities .. ,, ,, , 



vastly more than any other cause — and 



constitute the most important health problem with which 



we have to deal." In the "Manual of Military Hygiene," by 



Colonel Valery Havard, the author points out that on 



account of the importance of this question, " soldiers should 



be taught all knowledge deemed necessary and useful on 



the subject. For instance, that sexual intercourse is not 



necessary for the attainment of the best physical and mental 



health, and that a strong, manly character is developed only 



by self-control and continence. They should have a proper 



appreciation of the prevalence and gravity of venereal 



diseases. 



"Many men expose themselves thoughtlessly, with the 



impression that, at the worst, a few days in hospital will 



suffice to get rid of the consequences. This is foolish 



and dangerous ignorance which officers, especially medical 



officers, should endeavor to dispel by a few plain talks, 



demonstrating to them the many complications and sequels 



of gonorrhea as well as the ravages of syphilis, which affect 



not only the incontinent, but, through matrimony, many 



46 





