(1.) The supply of drugs and appliances which are made available for use by the individual before exposure to infection. This may be described as "anticipatory prophylaxis," and has commonly been designated the "packet system."

The Committee condemn this procedure, for these reasons: (i) That the system suggests a moral sanction to vice; (ii) that the individual is lulled into a false sense of security, and may thereby be encouraged repeatedly to expose himself to infection; (iii) that the individual may be thereby deterred from seeking early advice or treatment; (iv) that the drugs supplied may be used for treating disease should it arise, and so delay may result in seeking skilled treatment in the early stages when it is likely to be most effective.

(2.) Treatment applied after exposure to infection. This is called "early treatment." This term is inapplicable, as a disease cannot be treated before it exists. It is also likely to be confused with "abortive treatment," which implies treatment immediately on the appearance of symptoms.

The evidence before the Committee shows that this form of prophylaxis, if applied by skilled persons and within a few hours of exposure, is effective in preventing disease in a great majority of the cases in which it is used.

The Inter-departmental Committee on Infectious Diseases set up by the Ministry of Health in 1919 in connection with demobilization, in a note on "Prophylaxis against venereal disease," reported among its conclusions based on service experience, "That where preventive treatment is provided by a skilled attendant after exposure to infection the results are better than when the same measures are taken by the individual affected, even after the most careful instruction." After exposure to infection there appears no reason why these diseases should not be regarded in precisely the same manner as other infectious diseases, and precautions taken to sterilize the parts which have been exposed to infection.

It is to be noted that it is recommended that the prophylactic treatment is to be carried out by some properly instructed person. This need not necessarily be a medical man. It is suggested that this form of prophylaxis might be carried out by an orderly at the venereal-disease clinics. The notices posted in the public conveniences and other suitable places indicating the existence of the clinics and the necessity for treatment might include a guarded reference to their use for this purpose.

This form of prophylaxis applies to males. In the case of females the methods adopted would be also contraceptive, and the Committee do not recommend that facilities should be provided for this.

The Committee must not be supposed to advocate prophylaxis as in any way a substitute for continence and the cultivation of that high moral tone that repels any suggestion of promiscuous sexual relationships, but they feel that they could not properly ignore reference to a method of prevention of these diseases which has proved very efficient in the services, to which there appears no reasonable ethical objection, and which brings their prophylaxis into line with that of other infectious diseases.

Section 6.—Legislation Required.

(A.) Conditional Notification.