1. In what way can the military authorities give assistance?—There are three ways in which they can approach the problem:
(a) They may decide that all areas known to contain brothels are out of bounds.
(b) They can provide adequate military control by military police organised under a competent officer, with one or more junior medical officers to assist him.
(c) That punishment can be inflicted on those men who break bounds and expose themselves to the risk of venereal infection. It might be desirable to reduce the pay of men found in those areas whether suffering from venereal disease or not.
2. Prophylaxis.—Officers were invited to discuss the question whether it would not be advisable to establish prophylactic depots in various parts of Cairo. Men to report immediately after exposing themselves to infection, and by cleanliness and the use of medicaments prevent infection. Circulars couched in plain and sensible language might be issued to the troops, conveying to them a knowledge of the risk they run, and the fact that if infected they will take back to Australia a disease which would reduce their value as citizens.
3. General and Special Treatment.—Suggestions from officers present were invited.
4. Convalescent Depots.—Was it right that the hospital should be crowded out with venereal cases, which demanded very much time and attention from the staffs? If the hospital was placed near the scene of military action the wounded might suffer from the amount of attention required for venereal cases. Most venereal cases required rest in the main, and this could be obtained in convalescent depots.
5. The ultimate destination of the affected men.—Two courses are open: The men may be treated in Egypt, or sent back to Australia.
(a) If they are kept in Egypt and the Australian Expeditionary Force is moved to the front its medical services would be depleted, and medical men of great ability and experience would be left behind to take charge of venereal cases when their services were required at the front.
(b) If on the other hand the Australian and Imperial Government could utilise some ships for the accommodation of these men, those who were cured could be sent to the front, and those who could not be cured could be sent back to Australia at once. But such ships would require special staffing so that the existing units should not be depleted in order to provide staffs.
In the discussion which ensued it was represented that there was a difficulty in placing areas out of bounds, as the brothels would be moved to other areas. Prophylaxis was regarded as most important. Isolation tents could be set apart in the regimental lines where men could be treated on return from leave. Cases of syphilis should be sent to Australia.