Prostitutes, Penicillin and Prophylaxis: Fighting Venereal Disease in the Commonwealth Division during the Korean War, 1950-1953

摘要

Historically, venereal disease (VD) has represented a significant manpower problem for the armed forces and the Korean War (1950-53) was no exception. Amongst British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand troops deployed to the Far East, rates of VD peaked at 387 cases per 1,000. Levels of infection far exceeded those recorded during the Second World War. Over the past several decades, historians have explored the intimate lives of fighting men throughout the twentieth century in great detail. Be that as it may, the Korean War has received little attention. This article represents the first analysis of the Common wealth experience of VD. It examines how widespread the problem became, as well as the efforts to which officials went to reduce levels of infection. It also explores the reasons why venereal disease was so prevalent at this time and place, and why the Commonwealth Division, and the Canadians in particular, were so affected by it.