Maine Doctor Advocates for the Humane Treatment of Prostitutes, Transcript of Address, 1878

Frederic Henry Gerrish, M.D. "The Duties of the Medical Profession Concerning Prostitution And Its Allied Vices," 1878. Booklet with a transcript of a speech given by Gerrish before the Maine medical association at its annual meeting on June 12th of 1878. Measures 6" x 9" inches. 31 pages. In his address Dr. Gerrish writes compassionately about the moral/ethical/medical dangers faced by prostitutes. He advocates for comprehensive medical care for sex workers to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and makes a point that their care must be extended with the same empathy given to all patients. Gerrish argues against the separate arraignment of prostitutes and brothel owners and lists the reasons why previous attempts at suppression have failed,"There are two principal reasons why attempts at suppression have always failed," he writes. "A lack of a supporting moral sentiment in the community, without which the efforts of the police can never succeed; and the fact that women only are attacked, as if they alone were to blame." Gerrish goes on to claim that prostitution, dating back to ancient civilizations, is a fixable social problem that must be addressed despite its persistence, "I am well aware that, in advancing and defending views so unlike those generally entertained, I expose myself to the charge of visionariness, and to the liability of contumelious criticism...It may be that the scheme will work only in Utopia; but the adoption of a great task should be influenced not by the answer to this question, Will it succeed? but by the answer to this, Is it my duty?" Ultimately his argument is a humane one taking into consideration the individual needs of sex workers as well as the broader social concerns caused by the industry. Tears to front and back covers. Textblock tight and clean. An early advocate for the rights of sex workers. Overall very good condition.