How does one get syphilis?...

Number eight of a series of American First World War poster placards produced to educate United States soldiers and sailors about sex hygiene and venereal diseases. 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 ' How does one get syphilis? and features a black and white illustration, positioned upper centre, of a sickly male caricature representing disease walking arm - in - arm with a prostitute. 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.