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Venereal Disease (Laws, Sweden And Russia)

Volume 387: debated on Thursday 18 March 1943

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asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information which he can make available as to the powers and sanctions used in Sweden and Russia with regard to venereal diseases?

Full information about the laws and regulations relating to venereal diseases in Sweden is contained in the Report on Anti-Venereal Measures in certain Scandinavian countries published by the Ministry of Health in 1938, The information at present available to me as regards Russia is less complete, but I understand that the law of 24th January, 1927, provides as follows:

  • (1) Any person suspected of suffering from venereal disease in a contagious form can be compelled to undergo examination whenever he refuses to submit voluntarily.
  • (2) The following categories can be compelled to undergo examination and treatment for V.D.:
  • (a) Those who have been found by the medical authorities to be suffering from V.D.
  • (b) Those who in the opinion of the sanitary inspector of habitations are living in conditions liable to infect their neighbours.
  • (c) Those who work in conditions which in the opinion of the sanitary inspector make them liable to infect domestic staff or fellow workers.
  • (d) Those attending schools of the first or second degree or apprenticeship schools whenever it is thought necessary by the school medical officers.
  • (e) Nurses and domestic servants when considered necessary by the public health inspectors.
  • (f) Pregnant women' who have been found by the medical authorities to be infected with syphilis.
  • (3) Punishment for failure to comply is provided for under lists 150 and 190 of the penal code.
  • (4) According to a regulation of 14th June, 1928, measures for dealing with prostitution are under a central interdepartmental committee.
  • The law also provides for all measures relating to the welfare and rehabilitation of women and girls without work who are suffering from V.D. This includes the establishment of work and treatment centres ("prophylactoria"), of rescue homes, and of homes for pregnant women and their infants.