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 Periodical article |
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| Title: | 'Almost a Public Calamity': Prostitutes, 'Nurseboys', and Attempts to Control Venereal Diseases in Control Natal, 1886-1890 |
| Author: | Martens, Jeremy C. |
| Year: | 2001 |
| Periodical: | South African Historical Journal |
| Issue: | 45 |
| Period: | November |
| Pages: | 27-52 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic terms: | South Africa Natal Great Britain |
| Subjects: | colonialism health policy prostitution sexually transmitted diseases domestic workers Urbanization and Migration History and Exploration Health and Nutrition Women's Issues Law, Human Rights and Violence Ethnic and Race Relations Politics and Government Historical/Biographical Health, Nutrition, and Medicine Labor and Employment Cultural Roles |
| External link: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02582470108671401 |
| Abstract: | In 1886 and 1890 sustained efforts were made by the Natal government to implement a Contagious Diseases Act in the colony. Natal officials and doctors proposed to combat the spread of syphilis and gonorrhoea through the implementation of laws designed to regulate and control those people - female prostitutes and African men working as domestic servants in white homes in particular - accused of spreading these diseases. Although ultimately unsuccessful, these attempts warrant investigation. First, because these measures against contagious diseases uncover something of the experience of prostitutes and of prostitution in 19th-century Natal; second, because little is known about the colonial government's initiatives to curb the spread of contagious diseases in Natal or about the role played by medical practitioners in this regard; third, because these efforts to legislate highlight settlers' concerns about black men performing domestic service and looking after white children in settler homes. Notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract] |
