PART II--PREVALENCE OF VENEREAL DISEASES IN NEW ZEALAND.


SECTION 1.--STATISTICAL.

(A.) _Medical Statistics._

The first item on the Committee's order of reference is "To inquire and
report, as to prevalence of venereal diseases in New Zealand."

One of the first matters which engaged the attention of the Committee
was the question how reliable information could be gathered which would
indicate the present prevalence of these diseases in this country.
Recognizing that it would be impossible to obtain trustworthy figures
without securing the widespread co-operation of the medical profession,
the Committee at an early stage sought and was readily given the help of
the British Medical Association in the matter. Representatives of the
Association gave their assistance in the preparation of a form to be
sent to and filled in by all practising members of the profession, and
in the current number of the _New Zealand Medical Journal_ an appeal to
members for their collaboration was made. Suitable circular letters were
also prepared by the Committee asking medical practitioners for their
co-operation, and the Committee are pleased to be able to report that
out of about 750 in actual practice, no fewer than 635 medical
practitioners sent in completed returns. A copy of the form used for
these returns will be found as an appendix to this report, as also a
tabulated return of the replies received and compilations therefrom.

It will be seen that the total number of cases of all forms of venereal