Why were the Contagious Diseases Acts introduced? Flashcards
What did the diseases do to the efficiency of the army?
War Office were concerned that the efficiency and morale of the army and navy was being damaged
Why were prostitutes provided to the army?
Seen as an essential way of sustaining ‘bachelor army’ and preventing homosexuality among soldiers
Where was prostitution most used?
Among unmarried soldiers in garrison towns - SDIs most common infection during peacetime
Where were venereal diseases evident to be an extreme concern?
During the Crimean war (1854-56) - more casualties from diseases than on the battlefield - 1/3 of army was sick
Who was most concerned of the use of male prostitutes?
Victorian middle class - evangelical Christians
What did the Christians threaten to do?
Threatened the institution of marriage and moral threat to society health - caused disturb and panic due to fear of God
What did William Action’s book (1857) convince the public?
That government intervention was necessary as Charities were not working
Why was prostitution viewed as ‘necessary evil’?
Men’s sexual urges were stronger than women’s - therefore prostitution was a valuable commodity for meeting men’s biblical demand for sex
What occurred on 1857 and why was it troubling?
Royal commission recommended - annual statistical reports on health of army were alarming!
What is evidence that venereal diseases were becoming increasingly troubling?
. 1860 - 37% of hospital admissions were for SDIs
. An alarming high 586 / 60,000 were inactive per day
Why were the 1862 Committee set up?
. To investigate solutions - yet two solutions
Liberal: Improve health care for diseased men and women and penalties for men who hid evidence of being diseased
Conservative: Compulsory medical examination of prostitutes and greater regulation of prostitutes
Why was health of prostitutes a concern?
Acton belief that state regulation would save health of prostitutes - allow them to change career paths as SDIs were the main barrier to reform
