BY ORDER OF THE
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT
FEB. 9, 1913.
[From New York Call, after temporary suppression of article, “What Every Girl Should Know,” by the postal authorities.]
[The particular part of the article objected to by the postal authorities].
SOME CONSEQUENCES OF IGNORANCE AND SILENCE.—PART III.
Prominent medical authorities claim that syphilis was not known in Europe before the discovery of America. Others equally as prominent hold that it has existed for many centuries in Europe, but was confused with other diseases such as leprosy. It makes little difference to the girl or boy today just how long or where it came from; the point we do know is that it is here in our homes and workshops, and we should know what it is like and how to avoid it.
A story is told of a French nobleman whose son was about to leave his home to live in a big city. Said the father to the son: “If you are not afraid of God, fear at least syphilis.” This advice might be applied today, for if boys or girls knew, or could see the appalling results of syphilis, they would surely fear it, for it is humanity's most deadly foe.
Syphilis is an infectious disease, caused by a special microbe which is acquired by contagion or heredity.