The Contagious diseases Act Flashcards
(41 cards)
Evidence of negatives of the CDA: limited research.
-Much of the evidence for the CDA’s success came from the 1871 Royal Commission which only interviewed ‘respectable’ witnesses- not the women themselves.
-Treatment dangerous; use of mercury to treat syphilis led to poisoning.
Evidence of negatives of the CDA: Double standards
No checks on men in the army; diseases contained, not eradicated.
Evidence of negatives of the CDA: women falsely accused
For example Mary Percy, falsely accused of being a prostitute which ruined her career as a singer, leading her to suicide in 1875.
Evidence of negatives of the CDA: harsh treatment of women
Women sometimes held for as long as 9 months and treated severely.
Use of speculum for examinations: instrumental rape.
Evidence of positives of the CDA: better conditions for uninfected prostitutes?
Given certificates allowing them to charge more.
Improved conditions in protected areas.
Improved health and reduced premature death by venereal disease.
Evidence of positives of the CDA: benefit for those in the army?
Reduced hospital admission rates for syphilis in the army; protected areas 37/1000, unprotected areas 194/1000.
Evidence of positives of the CDA: health benefits for prostitutes?
Improved health and reduced premature death by venereal disease.
Reduction in scabies.
3 impacts of CDA
-Impact on health
-Impact view of prostitutes
-Impact on treatment of women
When were the CDA passed?
1864
3 reasons why the CDA were passed?
-Moral and religious
-Social
-Military*
Social: How many children were admitted to hospital had venereal diseases?
-20% at the Royal Free Hospital had syphilis passed down from their mothers.
Social: what percentage of the sick poor had venereal diseases?
7% of the sick poor had venereal diseases
Social: what were the key diseases spread?
Gonorrhoea, syphilis, scabies
Social: How many prostitutes were there estimated to be?
30,000-50,000
Moral and religious: what were women supposed to be?
‘Moral guardians’; meant sexual immorality was condemned widely.
Moral and Religious: What religious views were prevalent?
Evangelical Christians condemned use of prostitutes- stating it desecrated the holy union of marriage.
Moral and religious: what was the double standard surrounding prostitution?
Checks advocated on women, not on men. Eg. John Liddell’s view that women should be regulated, and men not expected to be responsible.
Military: How was the use of prostitutes encouraged in the army?
Marriage or homosexuality not allowed; brothels permitted near army bases to allow soldiers to fulfil sexual urges.
Military: What was prostitution considered to be?
A ‘necessary evil’.
Military: what proportion of soldiers had venereal diseases?
One in three had syphilis in 1864.
Military: impact of prostitution on the navy?
Levels of disease often higher; ships often incapable of sailing for weeks due to high rates of infection.
What did the initial CDA state? When?
Applied to 11 specific naval ports and garrison towns in 1864:
-Police to arrest prostitutes to undergo examination
-Refusal= prison
When and how was the 1864 CDA extended?
Extended Act in 1866:
Compulsory examination every 3 months.
When and how were the 1864 and 1866 Acts extended?
1869: extended to cover ALL garrison areas and extended coverage.
Allowed SUSPECTED prostitutes to be locked up for up to 5 days before examination.
Could be detained for up to a year and subjected to fortnightly examinations.
