REGULATION 33B
SIR,—In support of a regulation that claims to deal with men and women alike, Lord Dawson of Penn is reported to have said: "The hard core of irresponsible women must be dealt with." Certainly they must; but is there no danger that indignation against them may hustle us into ill- considered action? In the business of prostitution, demand precedes and creates supply. No one woman can earn her living as a prostitute except by the concurrence of many men. How will the temporary re- moval of a few notorious women affect their former clients? These men, themselves infected but under no compulsion to continue treatment, will seek out other women, and a new generation of prostitutes will thus be created to fill up the ranks.
Is not this a moment for more far-reaching and courageous action? There are certain long-urged reforms which would bring about prompt and wide-spread reduction in disease. Here are a few only: a bold education in social hygiene and personal responsibility in pre-service training units for both sexes; more constructive guidance for the young soldier than is supplied by the offer of a prophylactic packet; the provision of a clinic (or appointed practitioner), in every town; an adequate service of almoners, both men and women, at all V.D. clinics, to urge continuous treatment, and to follow up contacts ; increased numbers of women police, whose work forms an effective check on offensive solicitation. When such reforms as these are established, we can turn our attention to a diminished pioblem, namely, the hard core of irresponsible women—and men.
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