hy, the result of masculine autocracy, as
Russian anarchy is the result of Tsarism. I will first make a few
observations from the medical and hygienic point of view, to the
partisans of regulation. They exclaim that the abolitionists are
fanatics, who, from their absence of scientific spirit, will deluge
society with venereal disease. This bogy has no sound foundation. The
State regulation of prostitution applied to certain women has not
diminished the amount of venereal disease, because it does not reach
it. The State concession of an unnatural vice cannot be hygienic.
Moreover, it is impossible to completely disinfect prostitutes, this
disinfection is quite illusory, unless it is also applied to their
clients, which is impracticable.

In France, where the system of regulation has existed for a long time
in its strictest form, venereal diseases are extremely prevalent;
while in Switzerland, where it only exists at Geneva, having been
suppressed for some years in the Canton of Zurich, they are less
frequent. Geneva is not less contaminated than other towns in
Switzerland, in spite of its model brothels, and Zurich has lately, by
popular vote, confirmed abolition by a crushing majority, in
opposition to a few interested persons who wished to reestablish the
brothels under futile and fallacious pretexts. Some clandestine
brothels still exist in towns where the authorities shut their eyes.

It has also been maintained that the number of sexual misdemeanors
would increase with the suppression of brothels. This is another
illusion. The majority of sexual misdemeanors are due to psychic
anomalies (Chapter VIII) or to the effects of alcoholic intoxication.
If they have any relation to prostitution, it is rather that of being
favored by its orgies.

=Remedies for the Evil.=--What is wanted first of all are severe laws
against proxenetism. It is indisputable that commerce made with the
body of one's neighbor is illegal, even when the latter gives
consent. It is a crime or misdemeanor which should be prosecuted like
negro slavery or usury. We should not wait for a complaint to be
lodged, but prosecute proxenetism officially, for the victims are
hindered by shame from coming forward. The pimps of proxenetism are
recruited from the dregs of society. In this domain, as in the others,
penal law should not be put in force; the object should be the
protection of society and the improvement of the criminal.

As regards prostitution