Why were the Contagious Diseases Acts introduced?

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Why did Acton feel it was important to protect the women's health as well as the men?
He believed most women were only working as prostitutes temporarily to get through economic difficulty. He believed the barrier stopping women from resuming normal lives was venereal infection.
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How did Acton suggest the government deal with the issue of venereal diseases?
Regular medical checks for prostitutes
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What did Acton do in order to convince the government that intervention was necessary?
Wrote a book outlining how venereal diseases were a danger to the health of the population.
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Who was John William Acton?
A London surgeon of high reputation specialising in the urinary and genital organs.
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What was prostitution considered as?
A necessary social evil
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Legally, what could a man do if his wife refused to have sex with him?
He could restrain her and force her to have sex with him.
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In order to divorce her husband what reasons did a woman have to present?
Adultery was not enough, she had to have proof of cruelty or desertion as well.
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On what grounds did The Matrimonial Causes Act allow men to divorce their wives?
Adultery
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What percentage of children admitted to the London Royal Free hospital had hereditary syphilis?
20%
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What percentage of prostitutes were domestic servants?
40%
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How many prostitutes were there in Victorian Britain?
500,000
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What did Florence Nightingale think about examining prostitutes?
It was a disgusting infringement of prostitutes lives.
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What did Sir John Liddell suggest should be the solution to the issue of venereal disease?
The state should regulate prostitutes by frequent medical checks.
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Which country did Sir John Liddell look to for how to solve the issue of venereal disease?
France
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Who was the central advocate for the 1862 committee?
Florence Nightingale
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Why was the 1862 committee established?
To investigate how venereal disease within the army could be prevented.
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On average, out of every 1000 soldiers, how many were in hospital because of sexually related illnesses?
105
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In 1860 what percentage of army hospital admissions were for venereal infections?
37%
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What was the 1957 Royal Commission on the Health of the Army set up in response to?
The Crimean War
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Why was prostitution seen as necessary?
It allowed soldiers and sailors to fulfil their urge to have sex without the need for a wife and it prevented homosexuality.
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Why did the army prefer not to have married soldiers?
It was commonly thought that married men were reluctant to risk their lives in combat and made unreliable soldiers.
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Which 3 venereal diseases were most common?
Gonorrhoea, syphilis and scabies
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What type of diseases were the biggest problem amongst the army and navy?
Venereal diseases
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In the 1800s the health and fitness of which group was being threatened by disease?
The armed forces
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Which 3 venereal diseases were most common?
Gonorrhoea, syphilis and scabies
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What type of diseases were the biggest problem amongst the army and navy?
Venereal diseases
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In the 1800s the health and fitness of which group was being threatened by disease?
The armed forces
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Card 2

Front

How did Acton suggest the government deal with the issue of venereal diseases?

Back

Regular medical checks for prostitutes

Card 3

Front

What did Acton do in order to convince the government that intervention was necessary?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Who was John William Acton?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What was prostitution considered as?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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