Though I do not treat venereal diseases as a rule, I have undertaken this study because, in my work as an internist and family physician, the great necessity of a general awakening to'the importance of this subject in the United States has been forced on me from year to year with greater and greater emphasis. In many of our large cities no provision is made for the treatment of venereal diseases, and in some cities patients suffering from these diseases are specifically forbidden admission to any of the existing hospitals.
Furthermore, the present paper does not pretend to be exhaustive, as it is based chiefly on personal observations, impressions and convictions, and not on library work.
As to the amount of venereal diseases in the United States we can only guess. It is fair to assume, however, that the percentage of the population so infected does not vary