More Common Than Measles and Mumps

[Music] What's so funny? It's no laughing matter, Slik. Who, me? You can do the entire project and report it to the class. What about Goon? He's not here. You can post to it. We've got to do a project on [Music] What? What? VD! But everybody knows about VD. We have to do research. [Music] Research, eh? Not a bad idea. At the library. So, what's there to research? Oh, how you get it, symptoms, that kind of thing. But I know how you get it. Toilet seats. Shaking hands. Doorknobs. Eating utensils. [Music] We better check it out at the library anyway. How do you spell VD? It's venereal disease. I hope they have a book on it. [Music] Yeah, they do have a book on it. Let's start with these ones on history. VD is the term used for a venereal disease. The two most common forms of VD are syphilis and gonorrhea. Other less common forms are sh- chancroid, granuloma inguinale, and lumpy granola venerium. It says here that gonorrhea was known in the Orient 5,000 years ago. I guess they had to worry about it even then. So did the ancient Arabs. And the Romans. Here's something about syphilis. It says here they're not exactly sure where it came from. They have found evidence of what may have been syphilis in Egyptian remains. There's another theory that Columbus discovered syphilis along with America. Land ho! [Applause] [Music] The theory goes on to say that his crew brought syphilis back to Europe. [Music] In any case, there was a terrible outbreak of syphilis at the end of the 15th century. Hey. This book says except in rare instances, the only way a person can be infected with venereal disease is through sexual contact. you can't pick it up from toilet seats or doorknobs or any of those other things. Have you found out anything about symptoms or treatment? Yeah, but I can't understand most of it. I can't even pronounce it. Maybe some doctor could explain it to us. Yeah, I think there's even a VD clinic we could go to. Well, let's call for an appointment. Okay. [Music] [Music] Can I make an appointment to see the doctor? There are no appointments. It's first come, first served. You can come in this afternoon if you like. We're open until 5. Thank you. [Music] Big crowd. [Music] Maybe we better come back tomorrow. Number 46, please. Yes? This way, please. But but Go on. [Music] Everything you say here is strictly confidential. Nobody, not even your parents, will be notified. So, please be honest with us. [Music] I'm just waiting for him. [Music] Now we'll take a blood test and a urine sample. Ernest, we're just doing research. Oh. Well, you might as well see the doctor now that you're here. He'll be through soon, so you can see him in a few minutes. What do you boys want to know? Oh, symptoms of VD, treatment, that kind of thing. VD is very dangerous indeed. These little VD germs can cause sterility. They can [ __ ] and cause insanity. Uh, he must have VD. They can also cause blindness and even death. And it can be passed on to unborn babies. But it can be cured if we catch it in time. How do you know if you've got it? With syphilis, sores may appear in the genital area. Although the sores often disappear, the germs spread right through the system to affect the heart, the mind, or any part of the body. Gonorrhea is a local infection. There may be pain during urination or a discharge of pus. If you expect there's anything wrong in the genital area, go to a doctor or a clinic at once. With girls, it's different. A woman usually doesn't get the same noticeable symptoms, so the disease may have caused considerable damage before she even knows she's infected. The only way to be sure is to have a thorough doctor's examination. But if she doesn't know she's got it, why would she go to a doctor? That's a problem. Unless she finds out that her husband or boyfriend has venereal disease or unless an infected person names her as a contact, she may be unaware that she has the disease for a very long time. And she may spread it to others without knowing it. That is why someone with VD must name everyone he has had sexual contact with, even homosexual contact. That's the only way we can hope to fight the disease. It's getting more difficult to control all the time. As you can see, VD is steadily increasing and it is more common than measles and mumps and all these other diseases. Why is it spreading so fast? Prostitution and promiscuity make it very difficult to control as a person with a great many sexual contacts can spread the disease before he even knows he has it. And remember, don't try to treat yourself. Only a physician is qualified to treat venereal disease and if it's not treated properly, you're in trouble. VD is usually treated with antibiotics such as penicillin. But sometimes more than one dose is required, so treatment must be followed up. You aren't cured until the doctor says so and you're never immune. You can always catch it again. You can pick up pamphlets from your local public health department as well as at the clinic if you want more detailed information. Thanks a lot. I didn't know there was so much to learn about VD. Just wait till we tell them you can't get it off toilet seats. Hey, Slik. Yeah, Goon? I thought everybody got measles and mumps. [Music]