Why were concerns raised about the health of the military in the 1860’s
Military suffered more casualties from disease such as Gonorrhea and Syphilis than the battlefield
What arguments were presented to the 1862 Royal Commission of Health of the Army that led to passing of the first Contagious Diseases Act?
It would reduce the number of prostitutes and sexual diseases
What were the terms of the first Contagious Diseases Act 1864?
- Prostitutes in protected areas could be arrested for medical examination
- Women with diseases to be detained in a lock hospital until cured
- Failure to submit to examination would result in imprisonment
- No evidence required to be imprisoned
How was the Contagious Diseases Act of 1864 received?
- controversial
- some accepted prostates others didn’t
- blamed women
when was first CDA past?
1864
What were the terms of the second CDA?
- compulsory examination every 3 months for identified prostitutes, based on evidence of a single policeman before a magistrate
- examinations for suspected prostitutes within 10 miles of a protected area
What were the terms of the third CDA?
- extended rules to other towns
- allowing 5 days detention prior to examination
- legal to obtain in lock hospitals for a year with fortnightly inspections
How did CDA affect women?
- led to Josephine Butler campaigning the repeal
- brought inequality as doctors and police were all men, women getting the blame
- saved many prostitutes lives
- Reduced occurrence of disease Scabies which made women itch a lot
- If women married or found full time employment names were taken off police registers
talk about unfair terms of 2nd and 3rd CDA
How did CDA affect the army?
reduced hospital admission rates for Syphilis within army
in protected areas 37 out of every 1000 soldiers were hospitalised with Syphilis compared to 194 out of 1000 soldiers in unprotected areas
Why was the Ladies National Association important for leading to repeal in 1886
They gained publicity in the press and made MP’s question the idea of repeal.
Got support of working men
Was the LNA successful for the repeal of the CDA
More effective than National Association
But did not attract much Parliamentary support
What did they LNA do for the repeal of the CDA
- Nationwide network, with provincial and local branches
- 1869 Ladies Protest published in Daily Mail News, signed by 124 members
- 1875 the Shield published death of Mrs Percy which energised the movement again
- together with the NARCDA held 900 meetings and organised 18,000 petitions containing 2.5 million signatures
Who was Josephine Butler?
Leader of Ladies National Association
What did Josephine butler do for the repeal of the CDA?
-Had previously campaigned for women’s rights to higher education
-In Liverpool had taken prostitues into her home and set up a ‘Home of Rest’
-1870-travelled 3700 miles, speaking at 99 meetings
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What did James Stansfeild do to help push repeal of the CDA?
- gained support of w/c and m/c
- put pressure on gov.
- 1875 encouraged formation of National Medical Association to enlist support of doctors
What did Naationwide Grassroots Movement do to contribute for the repeal of the CDA
-1872-3 regional electoral leagues were established to press for repeal during parliamentary reform
such as Northen Counties League under Henry Wilson
and Midlands electoral League
-Early 1880’s Henry Wilson and fellow campaigners in regional leagues helped form a committee of MP’s to push for repeal in parliament
What did Parliament do to push reform?
- Early 1870’s Liberal Gov. set up an inquiry
- 1880 Liberals returned to power and made Stansfield a a Cabinet minister
- 1880 election increased number of Liberals in Parliament
- Liberal intrest in reform grew and it was parliament who passed repeal
What did the Nationwide Grassroots movement do?
1872-3 regional electoral leagues established to press for repeal during parliamentary elections
- Northen Counties League under Henry Wilson
- Midlands Electroal League
