confront his heterosexual counterpart. The health agencies must understand that he is reluctant to incriminate himself or his sexual partners by supplying information concerning his sexual practices, for in so doing he admits to behavior which is legally contravened and could result in arrest. For these and numerous other reasons, the homosexual must have honest reassurance through the changing of the law and by his doctor that the patient-physician relationship will remain confidential. Confidentiality must also extend to medical records. If this assurance is not available it is unreasonable to expect the homosexual to cooperate by supplying intimate information.

The homosexual can be cured of veneral disease. But there must be general enlightenment on all sides. Any collusion or semblance of collusion between physicians public or private, and law enforcement agencies, will spell disaster. Until the laws are changed, it is desirable for the homosexual not to name the person who may have been the contact. Anyone suspected, however, must be advised where possible. Health agencies must select doctors and investigators who have an ability to maintain a professional relationship with patients. Doctors should definitely not embark, no matter how great the temptation, on an analysis of the factors concerning the homosexuality of the patient. This is not his business. Anyway, I am sure the average venereologist has neither the time nor the qualifications for such an undertaking. We feel that most doctors are temperamentally unsuited to the attempt of any therapy where the question of the patient's sexual orientation is concerned.

The homosexual alone is not responsible for the comeback of veneral disease which was thought to be fairly under control in the early 1950s. The

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use of various drugs and antibiotics administered for other than syphilis, etc., may have had the side effect of killing these diseases. Some of these medicines used are no longer so popular, and it has been suggested that this may be one of the reasons for the general rate of increase.

To whatever extent the homosexual is involved, and from the records he appears to be very much involved, he is responsible for controlling the effect on public health, but not at the risk of his own security. Under the present laws it is up to each homosexual to decide these matters for himself. Don Slater

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