Sex Exposure without Prophylaxis Sex Exposure without Prophylaxis

Contributor(s): The History of Medicine Division. Prints and Photographs Collection United States. Army Air Forces. Training Command Publication: United States. Army Air Forces. Training Command, 1944 Language(s): English Format: Still image Subject(s): Sexually Transmitted Diseases Public Health Genre(s): Archival Materials Posters Slides (photographs) Abstract: Recognizing the limits of sex and moral education in generating self-restraint in soldiers, medical officers during the Second World War more openly promoted prophylaxis in the form of both condom distribution and chemical treatment for potential exposure to venereal disease. While critics suggested that anti-venereal disease campaigns should emphasize proper sexual behavior, this poster from the Army Air Forces Training Command in 1944 indicates an official understanding that within the wartime military most men would seek and find sex during their tenures. As a result, the armed forces established an efficient and practical program for treatment following possible exposure. This poster also uses a common strategy of equating venereal disease with helping the enemy, in this case suggesting that the failure to seek prophylaxis after sex was essentially a "pro-axis" decision to help the alliance between Japan, Italy, and Germany. Copyright: The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information) Extent: 1 pages NLM Unique ID: 101584655X19 (See in Profiles in Science) Profiles in Science ID: VCBBBY Permanent Link: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101584655X19 Archival Collection: Visual Culture and Health Posters (Profiles in Science)