Public Health Measures Against Venereal Disease of the...

At the onset of the twentieth century, many changes in American life were occurring, including the expansion of cities, an increase in immigration, and a change in the typical family structure. A movement of social reforms known as progressivism arose to counter these changes, which were viewed as a challenge to domestic life. Specifically, venereal disease caught the attention of many progressives. As members of the medical profession learned more about the pathology of disease, venereal disease became regarded as the ultimate threat to the American family. The biggest outrage was the infection of innocents, women and children who encountered the disease as a result of unfaithful husbands and fathers. Efforts by the progressives to†¦show more content†¦Entry into the war would transform the problem of sexually transmitted disease into a national issue of the first magnitude, requiring a centrally conceived program†(Brandt 133). The progressives also worried about lewd behaviors projecting a negative American image on an international level. It became clear to the progressives that wartime efforts would be needed to ensure military efficiency and health. On April 17, 1917, eleven days after the declaration of war, the Commission on Training Camp Activities, or CTCA, was formed with Fosdick at the helm. The Commission utilized two main strategies to encourage sexual continence amongst troops, which was viewed as the best way to stop infection: distraction and coercion (Brandt 141). The distraction took place in centrally located huts, which became the hub of social life in the camps. Men were able to play cards, listen to music, or watch performances. In addition, athletic and recreational activities were organized. The commission believed that busy troops were less likely to engage in sexual activity. Also, strenuous athletic activity was thought to repress sexual impulses (Brand 144). In terms of coercion, the CTCA relied on education about the importance of hygiene, abstinence, and the perils of venereal disease. The General Medical Board of the Council on National Defense released an official statement rejecting the preconceivedShow MoreRelated The Origin, Etiology and Treatment of Syphilis Essay examples5684 Words   |  23 Pages The Origin, Etiology and Treatment of Syphilis â€Å"And this disease of which I speak, this syphilis too will pass away and die out, but later it will be born again and be seen again by our grandchildren just as in bygone ages we must believe it was observed by our ancestors.† – Fracastoro, 1538 1 It has been written about, debated over, and has affected every culture it has come into contact with. One can only be amazed when examining the microscopic syphilis bacterium. It traveled the seas ofRead MoreSexually Transmitted Diseases35655 Words   |  143 Pagesprokaryotes 130 Structures and functions 133-137 Microbes 148-150 Onion and cheek cells 150-151 Ecological study 154 Seed structure and germination 155-157 Reproduction in plants 158-165 Sexually transmitted diseases 166-176 Birth Control and contraceptives 177-185 Effects on population growth 186-187 Drug and drug abuse 188-191 Man’s impact on the environment 192-199 Reproduction in man 200-201 References 202 Introduction Read MoreThe Demon in the Freezer Essays12595 Words   |  51 PagesOctober 2001--was a clarion call for scientists who work with hot agents to find ways of protecting civilian populations against biological weapons. In The Demon in the Freezer, his first nonfiction book since The Hot Zone, a #1 New York Times bestseller, Richard Preston takes us into the heart of Usamriid, the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, Maryland, once the headquarters of the U.S. biological weapons program and now the epicenter of nationalRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pages............................................................ 220 Exercises .......................................................................................................................................... 220 CHAPTER 7 Defending Against Deception ............................................................................. 226 Deception Is All Around Us ............................................................................................................. 227 Exaggeration