at value it would have been to have a record of an
unusual increase of syphilis in that township, giving an opportunity for
prompt investigation by the Medical Officer of Health for the district.

(B.) _Compulsory Examination and Treatment._

This question obviously presents more difficulty than that of
notification, but it is clear that unless some means are provided of
bringing under treatment and, if necessary, isolating persons who are
suffering from highly contagious diseases, and who will not avail
themselves of medical treatment although this is provided free of cost
by the State, and who are knowingly or recklessly communicating the
disease to others, it will be impossible to keep in check this terrible
scourge. Without such provision any abandoned woman, as in case 4, or
any male libertine, may continue to sow disease broadcast without any
power to stop them. Failing some such measure, table articles and food
may continue to be smeared by hands soiled with syphilitic material, as
in case 1; section 6 of the Social Hygiene Act remains mere useless
verbiage, and the infecting of innocents, as in case 3, may continue
unchecked.

Legislation dealing with this subject needs to be carefully framed with
suitable safeguards, but the Committee think that an amendment of the
Social Hygiene Act on the lines proposed by the Department of Health
should be adopted. These provisions are:--

(1.) That whenever the Director-General of Health has reason to
believe that any person is suffering from venereal disease, and has
infected or is liable to infect other persons, he may give notice
in writing to such person directing him to consult a medical
practitioner, and to produce within a time specified in the notice
a certificate from such medical practitioner to the satisfaction of
the Director-General of Health that such person is or is not
suffering from venereal disease.

(2.) Should the person not comply with this request, the
Director-General of Health may obtain a warrant from a Magistrate
ordering such person to undergo examination to prove the existence,
or non-existence, of venereal disease.

(3.) Making it possible for a Magistrate, on the application of the
Director-General of Health, to order the detention in a hospital or
other approved place of a person who is likely to be a danger to
other persons until that person is cured of vene