Is sexual intercourse necessary to keep in good health?...

Number eighteen of a series of 20 poster placards produced to educate United States soldiers and sailors about sex hygiene and venereal diseases during the Firstr World War. The information is presented via a combination of scientific facts and moral instruction. The series are in the form of placards simply designed largely with text accompanied by various photographic illustrations or diagrams. They are printed in black and red on white card. Each framed with a diagonally hatched grey border and a single black border. This placard is titled ' Is sexual intercourse necessary to keep in good health? and features photographs of the Antarctic explorer Captain Scott and his men positioned centrally. The text explains that the explorers are examples of ' real and vigorous men' who have managed to go for long periods of time without sexual intercourse and maintained good health. At the beginning of the twentieth century venereal disease was a prevalent concern for social health organizations. The social stigma attached to these diseases prevented most people from discussing or addressing means of treatment. In 1913, at a conference in New York, several organizations dedicated to fighting prostitution and venereal disease joined together to form the American Social Hygiene Association (ASHA). The association was established to stop the venereal disease epidemic by educating the public about sexually transmitted infections, working to break down the social stigma attached to VD, and encouraging high moral standards. ASHA's early worked focused on education and awareness efforts within the armed forces. ASHA worked with the US War Department during the First World War when VD occurrences surged among soldiers. Their efforts included educating soldiers about venereal diseases and their transmission and attempting to eliminate prostitution, which was believed to be the primary vehicle for VD transmission among the armed forces. Due to its contribution to the war effort, ASHA gained national attention and succeeded in creating public awareness of VD.