cent, of the total--is contracted from illicit[7] intercourse, it
is well to bear in mind that some of it is contracted innocently,
either from a kiss, or from using a sponge or a towel which has been
used by an infected person, etc. While the gonorrheal germ is
generally transmitted directly, the syphilitic poison may be
transmitted through various objects. Syphilis contracted not during
intercourse, but in an innocent manner, from a kiss, a towel, a
toothbrush, a razor, etc., is called syphilis of the innocent, or
syphilis insontium. In former years doctors would not very rarely
contract syphilis from examining syphilitic women with their bare
fingers. Now since gloves have come into use for examining purposes,
the number of infections has considerably diminished. And no doubt
that as the people become more familiar with the danger of venereal
infection from non-venereal sources, the number of innocent infections
will greatly diminish. The dangerous roller towel and the no less
dangerous common drinking cup are being gradually eliminated as
factors of _non-venereal_ infection; and we may confidently expect
that in a decade or two the amount of venereal disease from _venereal_
infection will be greatly lessened in all civilized countries. The
general increase in cleanliness in all strata of society and the
universal use of antiseptics after suspicious sexual relations will
constitute the chief factors in this diminution of venereal disease.

FOOTNOTES:

[7] Illicit--illegal, non-permissible, outside of marriage.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

THE EXTENT OF VENEREAL DISEASE

Former Ban on Discussion of Venereal Disease and Its Evil
Results--Present Reprehensible Exaggerations of Extent of
Venereal Disease--Erroneous and Ridiculous Statements of
"Reformers"--Senseless Fear of Marriage in Girls Due to Lurid
Exaggerations--Study by Woman Psychologist Reveals Harmful
Results of Exaggerated Statements--Truth in Regard to Percentage
of Men Afflicted with Venereal Disease.

=Former Silence.= Only a very few years ago respectable women, by
which I mean all women outside of the women called "fallen," did not
know of the existence of venereal disease. It was considered a
prohibited, disgraceful subject, not to be mentioned or even hinted at
in conversation, in books or magazines, in lectures, or on the stage.
When I say that they did not know of the _existence_ of such a thing
as venereal disease, that the ver