by society. Many of us give up on the thought but so long as there is an organization like ONE I'll never give up.

Bravo on your column (July, 1962) "As For Me."

VD: BOGEY OR MENACE? Dear Editor:

Mr. C.

New York, N.Y.

In reply to Mr. K's letter (July, 1962) there is undeniable proof that the statistics which show a fantastic rate of increase in homosexual VD cases are true. But as many fairminded doctors and investigators in Public Health Service clinics will tell you, the statistics represent only a part of the story, and the interpretation given to these statistics is almost universally distorted.

Facts are that (1) there is probably no more VD today that at the outbreak of World War II, percentage-wise; (2) methods of investigation have improved vastly in the past five years and more persons are coming to clinics and admitting their source of contact; (3) cooperation between private doctors and the VD clinics is more evident.

Higher statistics, especially among male homosexuals, are not so much from an increase of infection as in vastly improved methods of getting at the infected people themselves. In one large city, for instance, there was very litttle known about how to determine if one man got got syphilis from another male five years ago. Today, investigators are turning up dozens of cases. A statistical comparison may show a 500% increase between 1956 and 1961.

Actually, the truth may be that only twelve males were reported in 1956 whereas sixty new cases were discovered in 1961. Possibly over one hundred may be reported in 1962. Unfortunately, newspapers too often would headline 'VD Rate Shows Male Homosexuality Increased by 500%." This is non-

sense.

Great tribute is due to the advent of daring officials in public health work who are non-judgmental, but are dedicated to reaching those possibly infected and to treating them, holding all the records in confidence. With this as a goal, use of today's drugs can go most, if not all, the way to wiping out the great danger that VD poses to all.

Dear Editors:

Harold Call, Editor Mattachine Review San Francisco, California

The Letter of Mr. K., of Baltimore (July, 1962) has bothered me this past week. It is true that the number of VD cases is on the increase in homosexual contacts. It is alarm-

ing not only to public health officials but to sociologists, welfare workers, juvenile authorities and hospitals. Private physicians are supposed to report all VD cases but a great many do not, conveniently forgetting to file the report.

If Mr. K. will consult his friend who is supposed to be an authority on VD, this authority should tell him that there are not two but six (yes, six) different types of veneral diseases. I am also sorry to report that the Wasserman is only a test for one of these, syphilis, and that this test will not show a positive reaction for a period of from six weeks to two years AFTER contact.

So, if Mr. K. is happy that his Wasserman is negative now, I do hope for his sake it stays that way. I don't want to scare him but I don't want him living in a false world of security. I would like to add further that he is not helping anyone by telling them that it is unnecessary to tell how you contracted the dread disease; the nature of your disease is quite influenced as to HOW.

All cities and states have reported a steady increase via homosexual contact. It is located in no special city or section of the country. A very hard question to get answered is the reason for this increase. We cannot get the truth from everyone and when there is a person who talks the question is does he tell the truth or is he just bragging?

The six types of VD are: syphilis (the most common); gonorrhea (second); chancroid (not to be confused with the chancre of syphilis); Balanitis gengrenosa (caused by a type of Vincent's infection trench-mouth); Lymphopathia vernereum; Granuloma inguinal. There are also venereal warts that are contagious and may be acquired by sexual contact.

I do hope that I haven't scared everyone, but one should not take chances which may lead to permanent injury. Thank you for letting me set the record straight.

Dear ONE:

Mr. W.

San Francisco, California

Very few know how to recognize the obvious symptoms of VD when they appear, or when seen on someone else. What's more, one major factor overlooked by the press, public health specialists and virtually everyone is that a single shot of penicillin (or of several other antibiotics) will completely mask the symptoms until the disease is well into the very hazardous Second Stage, which may be two or three years later.

The social stigma attached to VD doesn't help, as most gay boys are easily panicked when it comes to any such manifestation. A further complication is their propensity to have sex with perfectly cleancut numbers, who can