In 1925 one of the temporary buildings was transferred back from Kimberworth sanatorium to Badsley Moor Lane Hospital and was refurbished to treat patients with venereal diseases. The new converted ward and clinic which was well away from the main hospital was suitable for male patients only, the women would be treated at Ferham house. Syphilis was one of the main venereal disease conditions treated at the new ward.
In the past men and women with venereal diseases were discriminated against as many medical institutions refused to admit patients with the disease. A few lock Hospitals were established from the mid-eighteenth century but little support was given to the patient as it was believed that there own ill-health was through immoral behaviour. Few doctors were even particularly well informed about the disease and because of the stigma surrounding it few wanted to specialise. Many men were reluctant to seek medical help as it was such a shameful ailment and women in the second half of Victoria's reign had little knowledge regarding sexual health.
From the beginning of the 19th century Rotherham Workhouse Hospital on Alma Road later known as Moorgate Hospital treated patients with venereal diseases. However even with treatment a significant numbers of paupers died of syphilis-related conditions. In 1906, a German doctor, Paul Ehrlich, discovered an arsenic compound that successfully killed the spirochete bacteria that caused the disease. However it was not exactly a simple solution and the early trials of the drug indicated some dangerous side-effects as they were dealing with such a toxic substance. It usually took around two years involving regular visits to the doctors for intramuscular injections. A Royal Commission was finally appointed in 1913 to look into the subject of venereal diseases, it also suggested ideas for prevention and treatment. There was know a new openness about the topic, the Times newspaper printed its first article using the word 'syphilis.
After the First World War there had been a high increase of people who needed treatment of various sexually transmitted diseases. In the 1920's the word “sex” was still unspoken, so something like talking about VD even for education reasons was taboo for most people. To approach this subject would always need a great deal of tact and sensitivity and the Royal Commission in 1916 recommended specialist venereal disease clinics where treatment could be given free and confidentially. At this time while syphilis was now curable there was still no effective treatment for gonorrhoea and therefore was seen to be a greater danger to the nations health. Public health campaigns were put into motion to encourage people to go to the clinics for treatment.
Badsley Moor Lane Hospital would only deal with severe cases. In 1928 a fall in the numbers attending the hospital for advice or treatment fell to 373 patients of which 215 cases were diagnosed and needing treatment. During the same year a plaque giving opening times for the clinic was placed in public toilets around town.
© Neil and Janet Croft 2005