In this groundbreaking paper, James Stansfeld challenges the prevailing view that the Contagious Diseases Acts, which regulated prostitution in Victorian England, were effective in controlling the spread of venereal diseases. Drawing on statistical analysis and other evidence, Stansfeld argues that the Acts were discriminatory and counterproductive, and undermined the principles of civil liberties and public health. A must-read for anyone interested in the history of health policy or social justice.
