that it might inquire into the
effectiveness of the present system of legislation, of administrative
measures, and of clinical methods, with a view of determining whether
the best results were being obtained for the expenditure of the money.

Western Australia has an Act, which came into operation in June, 1916,
providing for what is known as conditional notification of patients,
together with other provisions for the control of venereal disease which
are on a more comprehensive scale than has been attempted anywhere with
the possible exception of Denmark. In December, 1916, Victoria passed a
similar Act, and this example was followed by Queensland, Tasmania, and
New South Wales.

The Conference, answering the several questions put to it, found that a
greater proportion of persons infected with venereal disease were
receiving more effective treatment than before the passing of the
Venereal Diseases Act. In the opinion of the Conference this was due
partly to the passing of legislation and partly to the opening of
clinics affording greater opportunities for free treatment. They
considered the operations of the Act had been more successful in
bringing men under treatment than it had been in the case of women.
Among the opinions expressed by the committee were the following: The
Act was not equally successful in respect of private and hospital
patients in regard to notification, but was equally successful in
respect of securing to both more effective treatment. There has been an
apparent reduction in the prevalence of venereal diseases, and the
Conference were strongly of opinion that the results so far justify the
continuance of these Acts in operation.

The Conference found that venereal diseases are the most potent of all
causes of sterility and of infant and foetal morbidity and mortality. It
recommended, among other remedial measures, that prophylactic depots,
both for males and females, should be established as widely in the
community as possible. Referring to the educational aspect, the
Conference urged that children should be instructed in general
biological facts up to the age of puberty, when more explicit
information concerning facts of sexual life should be given. They urged
on all parents and educational, philanthropic, and religious
organizations the pressing necessity for a sustained campaign, in
co-operation with the medical profession, in order to inculcate in the
community higher ideals of personal hy