Why are the Contagious Diseases Acts introduced?

Question 1

Why was prostitution rife in the 19th century?

Answer 1

1. Most w/c women received little / no education and were limited to poorly paid temporary jobs. Prostitution was the only alternative to the workhouse to supplement meagre earnings.
2. Soldiers could not marry and so used prostitutes to satisfy their sexual desires.

Question 2

What did the m/c think of prostitution?

Answer 2

It was seen as a moral threat to society that jeopardized the sanctity of the family unit and the institution of marriage.

Question 3

In what way was prostitution deemed acceptable?

Answer 3

Prostitutes were seen as necessary to satisfy male sexual desire that could not be exclusively satisfied by their wives. Deemed a ‘necessary evil.’

Question 4

In what areas was prostitution mostly accepted?

Answer 4

Military bases and ports

Question 5

Why was prostitution accepted in military bases and ports?

Answer 5

Because soldiers were unmarried / away from wives. It was seen as preventing homosexuality among soldiers, which was unacceptable at the time.

Question 6

What act was introduced in 1857?

Answer 6

The Matrimonial Causes Act - stated that a man could divorce a woman on the grounds of adultery but women could not divorce a man for the same reason.

Question 7

Which event highlighted the issue of contagious diseases in Britain?

Answer 7

The Crimean War

Question 8

When was the Crimean War?

Answer 8

1854-56

Question 9

Why was the Crimean War significant?

Answer 9

Disease led to more casualties in hospital than on the battlefield.

Question 10

What was introduced as a result of the Crimean War?

Answer 10

A Royal Commission on the Health of the Army (1856

Question 11

What did the Royal Commission reveal about the health of the army in 1860?

Answer 11

37% of army hospital admissions were for venereal diseases.

Question 12

What was founded in 1862?

Answer 12

The Committee of Inquiry

Question 13

Who were 2 important members of the Committee of Inquiry?

Answer 13

Florence Nightingale and Sir John Liddell

Question 14

What 2 measures did Florence Nightingale advocate for in the 1862 committee?

Answer 14

1. For the army to end its reliance on prostitution.
2. Penalties for men who concealed they had venereal diseases.
   (Not the involuntary examination of prostitutes)

Question 15

What did John Liddell advocate for in the 1862 committee?

Answer 15

That the government should regulate prostitutes who had soldier clientele with frequent checks.

Question 16

What was introduced in 1858?

Answer 16

A lock hospital in Portsmouth

Question 17

What are lock hospitals?

Answer 17

Hospitals that have a ward specialising in venereal diseases where prostitutes could visit voluntarily for treatment.

Question 18

In what way did Liddell and Nightingale disagree?

Answer 18

Liddell approved of the methods used in the British colonies where prostitutes were subjected to compulsory medical examinations, which had seen a great fall in venereal diseases, whereas Nightingale did not.

Question 19

In what way were Florence Nightingale and the Committee of Inquiry influential?

Answer 19

None - the government ignored them.

Question 20

Who was influential in bringing attention to the impact of venereal diseases?

Answer 20

John William Acton

Question 21

Who was John William Acton?

Answer 21

A surgeon with medical knowledge on venereal diseases.

Question 22

What was Acton’s book called and what did it advocate?

Answer 22

‘Prostitution’ - Acton thought that government intervention and advanced medical technology would help solve the problem of venereal diseases. Acton wanted prostitutes to be medically examined but for their benefit. He wanted them to be able to lead normal lives afterwards.

Question 23

What are the 3 main reasons why the CDA were introduced?

Answer 23

1. Venereal disease was a big problem in the army.
2. Evangelical Christians condemned the use of prostitutes claiming it desecrated the holy union of marriage.
3. Poor health among prostitutes.

Question 24

Why is it unlikely that the CDA were introduced to improve the health of prostitutes?

Answer 24

Women were treated terribly during this period and Acton and Nightingale were mostly ignored by the government.

Question 25

What was the impact of venereal disease on the army?

Answer 25

Soldiers were incapacitated and unable to fight.

Question 26

What were levels of venereal disease like in the navy?

Answer 26

Even higher than in soldiers. Ships were often incapable of sailing for weeks because of the high rate of infection amongst soldiers.

Question 27

How bad was the problem of venereal disease for the army by 1864?

Answer 27

Venereal disease accounted for one in three sick cases in the army. There was great concern that the efficiency of the army and navy was being damaged.

Question 28

What was the religious argument against prostitution?

Answer 28

Evangelical Christians condemned the use of prostitutes claiming it desecrated the holy union of marriage.

Question 29

What was abandoned in 1859?

Answer 29

Compulsory medical examinations of soldiers because of the hostility of men to such intimate investigations. So the issue had to be addressed in another way.

Question 30

Which 2 previous acts had experienced success in improving the quality of life for groups of people?

Answer 30

1. The Factories Act 1844 - the first health and safety act in Britain. It limited working hours for children and women in factories.
2. The Public Health Act 1848
   Many argued that legislation could also improve the lives of people with venereal diseases.

Question 31

What were the government and military authorities driven by in wanting to introduce the CDA?

Answer 31

A need to provide safe sex for men, not concerned for women’s welfare.