Browsing for something quite different in that wonderful resource, the
Times Digital Archive, I came across several 1919 references to Kipling
as Vice-President of the Society for Prevention of Venereal Disease.
This body, whose committee seems to be mostly made up of doctors and
soldiers, seems to take a practical rather than moral view of the
question, recognising that moral propaganda is ineffective, and
advocating self-disinfection with germicide, as soon as possible after
the encounter.
In an article of December 16th, 1919, Kipling is advertised as a
prospective speaker at a public meeting on the subject at Central Hall,
Westminster, but in the report of the meeting the next day, he is not
listed as among those present.
I had not come across this aspect of Kipling's activities before, and
wondered if this was a long-term interest of his, or a cause that he
took up, perhaps just after the War, when infected soldiers were a
notable social problem.
Does anyone know if there has been any research on Kipling's interest in
this matter?
George Simmers
--
George Simmers's Research blog is at:
http://greatwarfiction.wordpress.com
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