The Contagious Diseases Act of 1864

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Which war exemplified the need for legislation concerning prostitution and why?
The Crimean war of 1854-6. An army statistical department was set up and it published reports on the health of the army. The reports highlighted the high degree of venereal disease, accounting for one in three sick cases in 1864.
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Why did some clergymen, doctors and evangelical christians condemn male sexual licence?
They claimed that it desecrated the 'holy union' of marriage
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Why did other men and some women believe that prostitution needed to be contained and regulated, rather than eradicated?
Because they believed that illicit, commercial sex was inescapable
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What were 'lock hospitals' and what did they aim to do?
They were local hospitals, financed by voluntary subscription, that provided care for diseased prostitutes. The government aimed to make examination of prostitutes compulsory.
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When was the Committee of enquiry set up?
1864
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Why was the 1864 Committee of enquiry set up?
To enquire into venereal disease among the military
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What did Florence Nightingale and other members of the committee of enquiry argue for?
More hospital care for diseased men (and women) and penalties for men who concealed that they had venereal disease. Increased sanitation in barracks and more leisure activities to relieve boredom.
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Who opposed the 1864 Committee's demands and what was his argument?
Sir John Liddell, director-general of the naval medical department argued for more regulation of prostitutes. He cited what was common practise in India, Hong Kong and other colonies- the forced medical examination of prostitutes.
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What was the result of the conflict between the 1864 committee and Sir John Liddell
Liddell had his way.
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What were the terms of the 1864 Contagious Diseases Act?
It authorised police, in specific garrison towns and ports in England and Ireland, to arrest women on the streets if they were suspected of being a 'common prostitute' to register them and ensure they attended medical examination
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Was the 1864 Contagious Diseases Act passed easily, if so, why?
Yes, there was little debate in parliament. Many MPs were of the opinion that prostitution needed to be regulated and others were in ignorance of the actual content of the Act- they thought they had passed an act which affected animals
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What were some criticisms of the 1864 Contagious Diseases Act?
People questioned whether it was a sanitary or police measure as it seemed more like the latter. The highly invasive examination of women was seen as an infringement of their rights - and the arrests were often made as the women were out at night
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What showed that the 1864 Contagious Diseases Act was effective?
The Contagious Diseases Acts authorities collected statistics on the decline in the number of prostitutes in military districts, cleanliness of registered women and the improved order on the streets in garrison towns & ports
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What did a few sceptical officials and military doctors point out?
it was likely that many prostitutes had simply left town rather than risk being arrested, which may have spread the disease further afield as prostitutes moved to unregulated areas
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why did some clergymen, doctors and evangelical christians condemn male sexual licence?

Back

They claimed that it desecrated the 'holy union' of marriage

Card 3

Front

Why did other men and some women believe that prostitution needed to be contained and regulated, rather than eradicated?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What were 'lock hospitals' and what did they aim to do?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

When was the Committee of enquiry set up?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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