The cover of a syllabus of an address to aid in the teaching of drafted men on the recognition and avoidance of venereal diseases, issued by the Surgeon General.

A syllabus of an address to assist the instruction of drafted men on the avoidance of venereal diseases. This page states that it should be made clear to the men that venereal diseases are prevalent, serious infectious diseases and that it is important that soldiers know the cardinal symptoms and course of syphilis and gonorrhea.

A syllabus of an address to assist the instruction of drafted men on the avoidance of venereal diseases. This page, entitled, "An Address to Men Called Under The Selective Service Act," discusses the subject of venereal diseases in relation to military efficiency; how sickness among men results in costly treatment and training loss. The signs and detrimental effects of syphilis and gonorrhea are also described and in great detail.

A syllabus of an address to assist the instruction of drafted men on the avoidance of venereal diseases. Page 4 of the syllabus that states that the importance of men to abstain from sex, particularly sex with prostitutes, should be emphasized. It also goes on to talk about how those who contract venereal diseases will have their pay withheld and that it should be explained why that it is, and that men should be discouraged from drinking alcohol as well because many sexual interactions take place under the influence.

A syllabus of an address to assist the instruction of drafted men on the avoidance of venereal diseases. Page 5 talks about how venereal disease lowers national efficiency and how the government will punish soldiers who expose themselves to such preventable diseases. It also goes on to say that individuals completely incapacitated by disease would be discharged and briefly discusses the "tragedy in the lives of [innocent] women who marry infected men, and not only become invalids themselves, but give birth to children who are blind or physically or mentally defective."

A syllabus of an address to assist the instruction of drafted men on the avoidance of venereal diseases. Page 5 talks about how the creation of a "do's and don'ts" list will be helpful to men, that it is important it be made clear that sex is not a necessity and how supplementary pamphlets can be utilized to reinforce and generalize the speakers points.

A syllabus of an address to assist the instruction of drafted men on the avoidance of venereal diseases. Page 7 gives a list of five do's and don'ts in regards to sex and venereal disease. This page also goes on to talk about how the government has adopted a policy whose goal is to reduce the amount of venereal sickness within the army and how the War Department is seeking to implement a plan that will provide soldiers with more "wholesome pleasure."

A syllabus of an address to assist the instruction of drafted men on the avoidance of venereal diseases. The last page of the syllabus provides a don't list for the lecturer, stating that he should not do things like talk too long or overstress the horrors of venereal disease.

Identifier
NYSA_A4234-78_B2_F21_Syllabus

Language
English

Source
New York State Archives. New York (State). Education Dept. Division of Archives and History. New York State Defense Council. Correspondence Files, 1917-1918. Series A4234-78, Box 2, Folder 21.

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