abscesses, and rheumatism. It is a common cause of sterility and of
miscarriages, and, in the female, of many internal inflammations and
disablement, and in its later effects requires often surgical operations
on women. It is a very common disease, and the public know little of the
evil consequences which may follow what they have persisted in regarding
as a simple complaint. From its prevalence and its complications it is
one of the most serious diseases that affect mankind.

As regards treatment of venereal disease of all kinds, it should be
clearly understood that the causative germs are well known and can
readily be destroyed immediately after exposure to infection by thorough
cleansing with antiseptic lotion or ointment. The use of soap and water
only would lessen the incidence of infection. On the first suspicious
sign of venereal disease the patient should apply at once for medical
advice. There are methods of diagnosis, such as microscopic examination
and the Wassermann test, the result of recent discovery, which make
diagnosis simple and certain; and if treatment is begun early according
to modern methods, which are much more effective than the remedies
formerly applied, the germs of infection are easily vanquished. When
sufficient time, however, is lost to enable these germs to become
entrenched in parts of the body not readily accessible to treatment,
cure is difficult, prolonged, and perhaps in some cases uncertain.

For their own sakes, as well as for the sake of others, patients
suffering from any form of venereal disease should continue treatment,
which may be prolonged in the case of syphilis for two years, until
their medical adviser is satisfied that further treatment is
unnecessary.

Women suffer less pain than men in these diseases, and consequently are