Oct. 18.
Ix a recent address before a. medical association in England the statement was made that the _scourges of mankind are five—cancer, tuberculosis, rickets (which became very common dining the years of the recent war), venereal disease, and alcoholism. ''Tuberculosis and rickets account for most of the cripples we see about us; cancer, tuberculosis, venereal disease, and alcoholism account for most o* the deaths; venereal disease a' 1 alcoholism account for most of the misery and moral degradation of our race." With the exception of cancer, the immediate cause of which has not yet been discovered, from the scientific point of view these evils can be conquered. But as long as human nature remains what it is, it will be long while before they dis appear. Venereal disease presents the greatest problem, because the social evil springs from causes extremely difficult to control. Moreover, the earnest reformers who are contending with the evil are divided among themselves over plans and methods. We see this dissension in Shanghai where pub-lie opinion, as expressed occasionally in our correspondence columns, is not unanimous as to the value of the work of the Moral Welfare League. In England the dissension was even worse. Two powerful so-cities, each working for the prevention of the disease, were bitterly opposed to each other. It was all very perplexing. To obtain clear guidance the British Government appointed a very strong Committee, with a former Lord Chief Justice as chairman, to investigate the subject atid recommend practicable and effective measures to reduce the incidence of venereal disease. The unanimous report of this. Committee has been recently issued and its recommendations have met with general approval. The two societies mentioned are now making overtures towards peace' anid united effort. It would be well if reformers in Shanghai could see their way to reach the same happy agreement.
There is little that is new in the report. It is held to be of the first importance to spread full knowledge concerning' the nature of the disease, modes of infection, the effects near and remote of the infection, its appalling transmission to innocent women and children, and the menace the disease is. to the maintenance and advancement of the physical and intellectual standard of the race. In' Shanghai, pamphlets with this object in view have been issued by the Moral Welfare League. Some of the earlier ones were not remarkable for literary art and persuasiveness; the plain speaking may have served a useful purpose, but nowadays it is seldom that men are frightened into genuine goodness. According to the Committee, fear as a deterrent is overrated. The Committee also recommends that measures should be taken to diminish those conditions of life which tend to foster immorality and the spread of' disease. In China this means the consideration of slavery, concubinage, the power: of parents to sell their children, kidnapping, conditions in factories.employing female labour, and other social problems. In a recent investigation of family life in the city of Canton it was found that of the members of 798 households, 770 were slave girls and 499 were concubines. About one-third of the con-cubiness had been prostitutes one-third slave girls; one-fourth had been'sold into concubinage, and of the remainder very few had intelligently chosen the life. Tf the Moral Welfare League would furnish full and accurate information concerning all the conditions of life, both Chinese and foreign, which foster the social evil in Shanghai it would render a great service to the community.
Most important of all, perhaps, is the Committee's comprehensive answer to the casuistical questions which divide reformers. '""Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." Is it right to try to evade this law? If knowledge and_facilities are given to protect against infection is not this condoning evil and encouraging individuals to persist in it? The Committee's answer is firm and clear. Those who need the instruction should be taught how to avoid
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.