[9] See The Human Element in Sex, pp. 22, 23, and pp. 47-58.
[10] See Hirsch, Handbook of Geographical and Historical Pathology, vol. ii., chap. ii. (The New Sydenham Society).
[11] Since the above was written an event has occurred full of hope for the future. See Appendix II. ([p. 109]).
RESCUE WORK IN RELATION TO PROSTITUTION AND DISEASE
An Address given at the Conference of Rescue Workers held in London, June, 1881
RESCUE WORK
The letter inviting me to take part in your deliberations proposed many important subjects for discussion, and, amongst others, the subject of venereal disease amongst the fallen. On this point I was asked more especially to give information. I esteem it a privilege to aid in any way your very important work. I will begin by stating certain propositions which are fundamental in rescue work, and which are susceptible of ample proof.
First. By prostitution is meant mercenary and promiscuous sexual intercourse, without affection and without mutual responsibility.
Second. Its object is on one side pecuniary gain, on the other side the exercise of physical lust. It is the conversion of men into brutes and of women into machines.
Third. So far from its being necessary to humanity, it is the destruction of humanity. It is the production of disease, of gross physical cruelty, of moral death.