The successful results of the Port Said efforts are quoted in full by Colonel Sir James Barrett in his book, "A Vision of the Possible" (Lewis), and Colonel Barrett had early in 1917 sent me to London the following tremendously valuable letter of advice and warning:—
"I suppose my instinct is rather more in the moral direction than many people, but I recognise, as you will see from these articles (published by Lancet), that it is by direct prophylaxis, and direct prophylaxis alone that we are likely to get rid of this abomination. I should never in any campaign exclude all the additional aids—proper soldiers' clubs, such as I have established in Egypt, the influence of decent women, and the one hundred and one factors that go to make a decent and reputable life; but you have, in the long run, to recognise the fact that a percentage of men are certain to seek women who are prepared to cater for them. If the steps indicated are taken, the proof is absolute that the disease can be practically extirpated and without great difficulty. The failure of prophylaxis depends on two factors—firstly, it requires someone charged with responsibility, earnestness and high character to explain to men precisely what they are doing and what it means; and secondly, prophylaxis is of very little use to drunken men. My experience has been that when these precautions are properly used venereal disease may disappear."
That proved to be exactly my own experience in the army. Failures in the army were due to the absence of proper personal instruction of the men and the laxity of control, and these conditions can always be assumed to exist in any army having a high v.d. infection rate.—E.A.R.
[M] The New Zealand Times daily newspaper published my first article and was severely reprimanded by the New Zealand Government for doing so, and all New Zealand newspapers were then prohibited from publishing any further articles relating to V.D. in the New Zealand Forces.—E.A.R.
[N] See Publishers' notice, p. 75.
[O] In some cases the printed matter used by the drug companies also bears the "Official Endorsement" of the local "Social Purity Association" stamped upon it in indelible ink—a magnificent tribute to the educative work of the Public Health Department, as well as to the enlightened courage of the Social Purity Associations.
The following is quoted as sample of directions authorised in U.S.A.:—
"The use of this package is not to be construed as a licence to exposure. Pro-Ven, the original preventive. The only sure way to prevent infection: Do not expose yourself. All exposures should be considered as infections, for 90 per cent. of all "easy women" are infected. By proper use of the contents of this package disease may be prevented, as the action upon the germs is as effective as can be secured by the latest scientific knowledge; if exposed, use within two hours. After contact: 1st. Urinate. 2nd. Remove the cap from tube; take organ in the hand, holding the canal open; insert tip of the tube and squeeze half of the contents into the canal. 3rd. Squeeze the remainder on the outside of the organ, rubbing well into the creases and folds under and back of head and clear to the body. 4th. Leave ointment on three or four hours. Remember: It is best to use Pro-Ven immediately after exposure; never delay more than two hours if possible. Pro-Ven is not a cure—it is designed to keep men from getting disease; it can be used as a lubricant and preventive both before and after exposure. Pro-Ven is harmless and will not cause pain or injury to the sexual organs. Insist upon having Pro-Ven. At all good druggists, or directly by mail, 25 cents a tube; 5 tubes, $1.00. Booklet mailed free upon request. The Pro-Ven Laboratories, Washington, D.C. This product has been tested and approved by the Pennsylvania State Department of Health Laboratories."
In addition to Pro-Ven, the following proprietary tubes of self-disinfecting ointment have, to my knowledge, been authorised by the Department of Health, and samples were sent to me:—
Procaline, manufactured by the Hawthorne Drug Speciality Co., Inc., 88-90, Reade Street, New York City.
Cargenios, manufactured by H.K. Mulford Company, Philadelphia.
Andron, manufactured by Andron Hygienic Co., 120, W. 32nd St., New York City.
Sanitube, manufactured by the Sanitube Co., Newport, R.I., U.S.A.