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 * Venereal Disease and Treatment during WW2


VENEREAL DISEASE AND TREATMENT DURING WW2

Medical troops transport wounded soldiers back to the Aid Station using a
Collapsible Field Carrier (Item # 9917500). Taken Winter 1944.


BACKGROUND:

Since the early dawn of military maneuvers and activities, sexual hygiene and
behavior have proven to be a major problem for the Worlds’ Armies, and WW2
proved to be no different. Soldiers on assignment overseas were often lonely,
had time to spare, got homesick, or were just looking for female companionship…

During the Great War, V.D. had caused the Army lost services of 18,000
servicemen per day. Although by 1944 this number had been reduced 30-fold, there
were still around 606 servicemen incapacitated by V.D. every day. This drop in
numbers was partly because of the Army’s effort to raise awareness about the
dangers faced by servicemen through poor sexual hygiene, but also because of the
important developments in medicine in the area of treatment of the disease. In
late 1943 a case of gonorrhea required a hospital treatment of 30 days, and
curing syphilis remained a 6-month ordeal – by mid 1944, the average case of
gonorrhea was reduced to 5 days, and in many cases the patient remained on duty
status while being treated.

Two of the worst venereal diseases known to the Medical Department during the
Second World War were gonorrhea and syphilis, consequently the majority of
treatment and awareness programs had great emphasis on these two infections in
particular. The discovery of HIV and AIDS would not be made for another 40-some
years, and so this did not particularly pose a problem to U.S. servicemen during
WW2.


PREVENTION:

The first American Forces stationed in Northern Island (USANIF) and in the
British Isles (USAFBI) received special attention from the Medical Department.
The units were directed, in cooperation with local authorities, to establish the
first off-base Prophylactic Stations and trace the contacts of servicemen who
became infected. American units were warned to keep everything as tactful as
possible, and to use general terms such as U.S. Army Aid Station, instead of
Pro(phylactic) Station. Despite the measures taken, V.D. was to spread among the
troops, and even with rapid and effective treatment, including the use of sulfa
drugs and penicillin, the cost to the Army was heavy in lost time from duty and
diversion of medical resources, as well as being a source of political and
social tension between American Forces and their British hosts. This was also to
happen in France, after the liberation of Paris, and to some extent in Germany,
although this country was by then militarily defeated, and occupied.

An illustration showing a leaflet which was printed on 1st January, 1943, and
that was issued to all troops stationed at Ft. Benning GA. (Reference Number:
26386-BENNING, GA., 1-1-43-100,000).

V.D. Control Officers were appointed, special recreation programs were
introduced in close cooperation with the Red Cross and Special Services. Sexual
education was emphasized and line Officers, Surgeons, and Chaplains gave
lectures. In order to improve the sexual hygiene of its troops, the U.S. Army
produced a number of documents and equipment which carried messages about sex
hygiene and venereal disease. For example matches included in K Ration cartons
were often printed with catchy slogans warning against the dangers of V.D. Films
and posters, graphically presented slogans and warnings, urging men on grounds
of patriotism, unit pride, faithfulness to loved ones at home, and personal self
interest to avoid illicit sexual contact, which, as was emphasized, almost
invariably led to infection! If soldiers were unable to comply, the education
programs urged them to be careful by using the mechanical and chemical
prophylactics provided by the Army correctly.

The U.S. Government produced a number of pamphlets which were issued to troops
educating them about the importance of good sexual health.

War Department Pamphlet supplied to each recruit upon Enlistment, it explains
Sex Hygiene and Venereal Diseases in 16 pages (US GPO:1940 Ref 254247°).



One of these pamphlets was SEX HYGIENE AND VENEREAL DISEASE, printed August 1,
1940 by the U.S. Government Printing Office (as per A.G. 726.1 dated 20 Oct 39,
the pamphlet was to be furnished to each recruit upon enlistment). The booklet
not only offered information to soldiers about avoiding V.D., but also what to
do if they became infected. The pamphlet provided sufficient information about
various diseases to allow troops to diagnose diseases and infections without
visiting the Pro-Station. The following is the Summary which is offered by the
pamphlet:

Summary

 1.  Manhood comes from healthy sex organs.
 2.  It is not necessary to have sexual intercourse in order to keep strong and
     well.
 3.  Disease may ruin the sex organs and deprive a man of his health and
     happiness.
 4.  You have a fine healthy body now. Keep it that way.
 5.  Venereal diseases come from sex relations or intimate contact with a
     diseased person. They are very serious. Gonorrhea and syphilis are two of
     the worst.
 6.  Most prostitutes have venereal disease.
 7.  Guard against venereal disease by staying away from “easy” women. Don’t
     gamble your health away.
 8.  If you do not have self-control then do not fail to take safety measures.
 9.  If you get diseased, report at once to your commanding officer. Time is
     most important.
 10. Will power and self-control help to keep a man’s body and mind healthy.
 11. A healthy body and a healthy mind lead to happiness.

Another major step which was taken by the U.S. Government to raise awareness
about the ideas of practicing safe sex amongst its recruits was a series of
posters which were produced and displayed at Army Barracks, Hospitals and
Railway Stations. Many of the posters and propaganda leaflets were hard-hitting
and to the point, similar to the awareness posters of today.

Illustration showing three variations of Prophylaxis (or Urethral) Syringes in
use by the US Army during WW2. As can be seen from the markings, this was Item #
38610 (later 3861000).

Perhaps one of the most important steps which was taken by the U.S. Army during
WW2 to reduce the spread of V.D. amongst its soldiers was the issue of U.S. Army
Prophylaxis. This is described as Item #9118100, Prophylactic, Mechanical,
Individual, 144. The Medical Department issued condoms without charge at a rate
of six per man, per month, and individual pro-kits (sometimes called
“V-Packettes”) at a rate of two per man, per week. Apart from the Medical
Department issue Prophylaxis, troops would often purchase condoms privately from
PX Stores and other sources. Brands included Cello, Golden Pheasant, Texide,
Doughboy, Silver-Tex, Thins, Trojan and Prophyl-tex


TREATMENT:

In the U.S. Army, treatment was free, but it wasn’t always confidential. In some
units it was an Article 15 (Company punishment) offense and in others a Court
Martial offense. While a combat soldier might not fear the repercussions, often
Military Police and Cooks did. An MP could lose a stripe and often cooks were
forbidden to handle food until all traces of the disease were gone.

Illustration showing a selection of Individual Chemical Prophylactic Packets
issued to every soldier.

Every G.I. was issued with an Individual Chemical Prophylactic Packet (Item #
9118000), designed to allow him to perform prophylactic treatment if he feared
V.D. was present (also sometimes designated E.P.T. Kit, or Emergency
Prophylactic Treatment Kit). The individual packet contained:

 1. 1 Tube containing 5 Grams of Ointment (30% Calomel + 15% Sulfathiazole)
 2. Direction Sheet
 3. Soap Impregnated Cloth
 4. Cleansing Tissue

Illustration showing the contents of the Individual Chemical Prophylactic Packet
(Item # 9118000).

In addition to the soldier’s individual prophylactic treatment kit, a number of
other medical items were in existence to deal with the treatment of V.D. For
example Item #9792500, Venereal Prophylactic Unit would have been issued, along
with other supplies to the “Pro-Station”. It contained the following, for the
treatment of Venereal Disease:

9792500 – Venereal Prophylactic Unit Number Item Quantity 9793000 Chest,
Venereal Prophylactic Unit, Empty 1 1282000 Mercurous Chloride, Mild, Ointment,
1 lb. 2 1285400 Mercury Bichloride, 250 Large Poison Tablets 1 3861000 Syringe,
Urethral Prophylaxis 4 7178000 Towel, Hand 12 7493000 Soap, White, Floating, 6
oz 2 7711000 Basin, Hand 3 7811000 Graduate, Glass, 125-cc 1 7935400 Tissues,
Cellulose, 75 8 9120000 Protein Silver, Strong, 100 Tablets 2

Photograph showing the Venereal Prophylactic Unit Chest (Item # 9792500). Notice
the maroon color of the wood and contrasting metal banding.
Photograph courtesy of Alfonso I. Casso



This page was printed from the WW2 US Medical Research Centre on 4th October
2024 at 10:59.
Read more:
https://www.med-dept.com/articles/venereal-disease-and-treatment-during-ww2/


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