DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Light-Eater Residence Halls Newsletter, October 4, 1971 | 1971-10-04 Light-Eater Vol. II, Number 2, Page 2

Transcribe
Translate

Light-Eater Residence Halls Newsletter, October 4, 1971

1971-10-04 Light-Eater Vol. II, Number 2, Page 2

[Photo of KOONTZ]

[Photo of WILCOX]

VENEREAL DISEASE

If you are screwing your head off, whether you are male or female is unimportant, the chances are good that you have or could become infected with venereal disease (VD).

This disease, which can be spread only by sexual contact, is running rampant in epidemic proportions in Iowa and in the United States.

According to Dr. Franklin Koontz, Assistant Director and Principal Bacteriologist with the State Bacteriological Laboratory, there were some 335 reported cases of VD in Johnson County for 1970. Broken down by types, there were 295 cases of gonorrhea or "clap" and 40 cases of syphilis. Compared to Polk county with a 1567 reported total with with 1463 cases of clap, Johnson County doesn't look that bad.

"But, only one of four cases of VD is reported in Iowa," says Koontz, "which is better than the one in eight reported nationally."

He also mentioned that in 1964, only 1500 cases were reported for the whole state.

The majority of the sypilitics are older and no longer infectious, Koontz states, "because they can be treated easily with no after effects from the disease. The others, who often had no idea that they had the disease, may have suffered a disability such as 20 per cent blindness which can not be erased."

According to Koontz, "Clap was always around but nobody worried about it. Syphilis is a killer where gonorrhea is a major problem because of the female sterility or newborn blindness and a form of arthritis. Syphilis is the 'Great Imitator' which can take on the characteristics of any disease including ones like leprosy."

"The problem we have is this," says Dr. Robert Wilcox, Director of Student Health, "the only way to prevent VD is the assiduous use of the condom. I feel that condoms should be freely available to University students."

Wilcox feels that if you're out on the prowl and want to pick up someone, "You can't tell by looking whether your partner has VD and in 90 per cent of the cases the girl won't know it."

Both Koontz and Wilcox emphatically agree that if one partner doesn't carry the condom or "rubber" the other should. As Koontz says, "If you're Dutch-treating for the hamburgers, why should the sex be any different."

In his many lectures to University and community groups on VD, Koontz uses an analogy which goes "Comparing sexual contact with swimming, you can't get wet unless you swim. Be certain you shower after you swim, and if possible, for God's sake, wear a swimsuit."

You should have the idea how to protect yourself against the dangers of VD along with the side benefits of birth control and an easier post-intercourse clean up. Now...what to do if you have already been unlucky, or dumb enough to contact the disease, which for practical purposes would be clap.

Wilcox states that "the symptoms are a leaky penis and burning in the urinary canal for the male. The best indication for the female is knowing that she's had contact with an infected person. After the hysterics are over, get adequate treatment and fast."

Available to students from the Student Health is the treatment needed to combat the disease.

"If someone comes in thinking that they have VD, over half the time they will know when they leave," Wilcox says. "We do diagnosis ourselves and also send specimens to the State Hygenic Lab to be certain. Treatment starts immediately."

The Health director also states that following a positive diagnosis, the infected person will be asked for names of prior sexual contacts in order to treat them if they are also infected. But, "we do not withhold treatment from people who won't name contacts."

"All information will be handled discreetly," Wilcox asserts. "If you give us the name of a contact, the investigator who checks the situation out has a 100 per cent track record in discretion. Also, don't worry about us telling parents, employers, or anyone else."

He also states that drugs will be furnished if you are lacking the coins, so lack of money is not an escape.

According to Koontz, 20 years ago, 99 per cent of clap could be cured with low dosages of penicillin. Now better than 50 per cent can be cured with low dosage, "but you have 20-30 per cent who don't respond to a low dosage. Better than one-half of those will respond to a higher dosage and the remainder will take on other drugs. So, we get 'em."

Along with the use of a rubber, the major control is education and as Koontz says, "take the wraps off the disease and treat it as such rather than as a moral."

Displayed in a prominent place in his office is the DAILY IOWAN's two line editorial "VD is not a dirty word: it's a disease."

But Koontz admits that "Unfortunately education doesn't always work, look at cigarette smokers."


[Advertisement]

Iowa City's Oldest Record Shop

Since 1912
Your Campus Headquarters for

Records - Tapes

Classical - Jazz - Pop
Folk - Country & Western
Plus
Harmonicas, Needles & Accessories

Harmony Hall
15 S. Dubuque                           Iowa City


[Advertisement]

Enzler's

Autumn
Weather can be wet and cold...
SEE OUR COMPLETE
SELECION OF UMBRELLAS

FOLDING UMBRELLAS
NEW BELL STYLE
IOWA UMBRELLAS
$4.00 and up

ALSO-
Flasks
Wine Botas
Stadium Blankets
Bar Accessories

"For that special something you've been looking for"

ENZLE'RS 116 E WASHINGTON PN. 337-2375

Saving...

[Photo of KOONTZ] [Photo of WILCOX] VENEREAL DISEASE If you are screwing your head off, whether you are male or female is unimportant, the chances are good that you have or could become infected with venereal disease (VD). This disease, which can be spread only by sexual contact, is running rampant in epidemic proportions in Iowa and in the United States. According to Dr. Franklin Koontz, Assistant Director and Principal Bacteriologist with the State Bacteriological Laboratory, there were some 335 reported cases of VD in Johnson County for 1970. Broken down by types, there were 295 cases of gonorrhea or "clap" and 40 cases of syphilis. Compared to Polk county with a 1567 reported total with with 1463 cases of clap, Johnson County doesn't look that bad. "But, only one of four cases of VD is reported in Iowa," says Koontz, "which is better than the one in eight reported nationally." He also mentioned that in 1964, only 1500 cases were reported for the whole state. The majority of the sypilitics are older and no longer infectious, Koontz states, "because they can be treated easily with no after effects from the disease. The others, who often had no idea that they had the disease, may have suffered a disability such as 20 per cent blindness which can not be erased." According to Koontz, "Clap was always around but nobody worried about it. Syphilis is a killer where gonorrhea is a major problem because of the female sterility or newborn blindness and a form of arthritis. Syphilis is the 'Great Imitator' which can take on the characteristics of any disease including ones like leprosy." "The problem we have is this," says Dr. Robert Wilcox, Director of Student Health, "the only way to prevent VD is the assiduous use of the condom. I feel that condoms should be freely available to University students." Wilcox feels that if you're out on the prowl and want to pick up someone, "You can't tell by looking whether your partner has VD and in 90 per cent of the cases the girl won't know it." Both Koontz and Wilcox emphatically agree that if one partner doesn't carry the condom or "rubber" the other should. As Koontz says, "If you're Dutch-treating for the hamburgers, why should the sex be any different." In his many lectures to University and community groups on VD, Koontz uses an analogy which goes "Comparing sexual contact with swimming, you can't get wet unless you swim. Be certain you shower after you swim, and if possible, for God's sake, wear a swimsuit." You should have the idea how to protect yourself against the dangers of VD along with the side benefits of birth control and an easier post-intercourse clean up. Now...what to do if you have already been unlucky, or dumb enough to contact the disease, which for practical purposes would be clap. Wilcox states that "the symptoms are a leaky penis and burning in the urinary canal for the male. The best indication for the female is knowing that she's had contact with an infected person. After the hysterics are over, get adequate treatment and fast." Available to students from the Student Health is the treatment needed to combat the disease. "If someone comes in thinking that they have VD, over half the time they will know when they leave," Wilcox says. "We do diagnosis ourselves and also send specimens to the State Hygenic Lab to be certain. Treatment starts immediately." The Health director also states that following a positive diagnosis, the infected person will be asked for names of prior sexual contacts in order to treat them if they are also infected. But, "we do not withhold treatment from people who won't name contacts." "All information will be handled discreetly," Wilcox asserts. "If you give us the name of a contact, the investigator who checks the situation out has a 100 per cent track record in discretion. Also, don't worry about us telling parents, employers, or anyone else." He also states that drugs will be furnished if you are lacking the coins, so lack of money is not an escape. According to Koontz, 20 years ago, 99 per cent of clap could be cured with low dosages of penicillin. Now better than 50 per cent can be cured with low dosage, "but you have 20-30 per cent who don't respond to a low dosage. Better than one-half of those will respond to a higher dosage and the remainder will take on other drugs. So, we get 'em." Along with the use of a rubber, the major control is education and as Koontz says, "take the wraps off the disease and treat it as such rather than as a moral." Displayed in a prominent place in his office is the DAILY IOWAN's two line editorial "VD is not a dirty word: it's a disease." But Koontz admits that "Unfortunately education doesn't always work, look at cigarette smokers." [Advertisement] Iowa City's Oldest Record Shop Since 1912 Your Campus Headquarters for Records - Tapes Classical - Jazz - Pop Folk - Country & Western Plus Harmonicas, Needles & Accessories Harmony Hall 15 S. Dubuque Iowa City [Advertisement] Enzler's Autumn Weather can be wet and cold... SEE OUR COMPLETE SELECION OF UMBRELLAS FOLDING UMBRELLAS NEW BELL STYLE IOWA UMBRELLAS $4.00 and up ALSO- Flasks Wine Botas Stadium Blankets Bar Accessories "For that special something you've been looking for" ENZLE'RS 116 E WASHINGTON PN. 337-2375