The Dangers of Ignorance.
There are three main venereal diseases which constitute the roots of the giant tree of the venereal peril, and from which almost all venereal disorders spring out like branches and twigs. They are Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Chancroid. The first two easily overshadow in widespread distribution and dangers of complications the third member of the venereal triad, so that Chancroid can be considered by far the least dangerous of the three.
A conservative estimate of the spread of venereal diseases, in the writer’s opinion, would be that from every hundred men, at least ninety have had at one time or another a venereal infection; that from every hundred cases of venereal diseases, not half of them receive a thorough and scientific treatment, not half of the patients are aware of the seriousness of their condition and possibilities of different complications, and only a minority of them bring the treatment to a complete and permanent recovery. Any physician doing genito-urinary work both in a clinic, hospital, or private practice knows that most of the patients take treatment only until they cure up their pains, sores, and other symptoms of the disease, and not until they are completely cured. As it were, they dismiss the physician; the physician does not dismiss them. As a result of this unsystematic and superficial treatment, the original disease recurs again and again, only each time it penetrates a little deeper into the system and requires a longer period of time for a complete cure, with less chances for success. Thousands and thousands of men develop serious and deep-reaching complications, sapping their vitality and undermining their strength, complications which would never have happened if the disease had been treated from the start, thoroughly and to the finish. Still another result of this indifferent and reckless attitude is that thousands of men, believing themselves cured, take upon themselves the grave responsibility of entering marriage, taking a pure and fresh girl, the girl they love and revere with all their hearts, trusting and unsuspecting of the terrible danger hovering over her head. The disease-producing germs that have been weakened and stunned but not killed by insufficient treatment, falling on a virgin and fertile soil, take on a new lease of life, and with the fury of a devastating tornado attack and ruin their new victim. A young bride often before the honeymoon bliss is over is struck down with an acute infection, a mutilating operation follows, and in a few months a beautiful, healthy girl is transformed into a permanent invalid and nervous wreck, deprived forever of beauty, health, and joy of life. This terrible tragedy is not an exceptional case, it is not an overdrawn statement, it is an every-day occurrence in medical practice, and every day adds its new victims of men’s folly, criminal indifference, and recklessness born of ignorance.