they are suffering: whilst in others an obsession that they are
infected, when there is no foundation for the fear, may develop in such
a manner as to inflict serious and permanent damage."


SECTION 2.--CLINICS FOR THE TREATMENT OF VENEREAL DISEASE.

Early in 1919 clinics for the treatment of venereal disease were
established in each of the four main centres. Arrangements were made by
the Department of Health for the treatment by Hospital Boards throughout
the Dominion of cases of venereal disease, and in the absence of local
institutions arrangements were made with private practitioners. There is
therefore opportunity for all to receive free treatment, wherever they
may be, in New Zealand.

Table B sets out the work done at the four clinics during the two and a
half years ended 30th June, 1922. From this table it will be seen that
3,038 males and 596 females attended these clinics during the period
named. The total number of attendances was 110,792--101,995 males and
8,797 females. The disproportion between the number of males and females
attending is notable. It is clear from the evidence that this does not
represent a difference in the incidence of these diseases in the sexes,
but that women do not attend so freely when suffering.

These clinics are attached to the public hospitals in each centre, and
all evidence goes to show that this is most desirable. If the clinics
were apart, the object of the patients' visits would be obvious, whereas
the actual purpose for which they go to a hospital is not so. It is to
be strongly emphasized that the less publicity given to the attendance
of these patients, the greater the number of patients who will be likely