• Breakthroughs of early 20th century made prospects of national control and eradication possible.
• World War I brought the issue to a head
  • Venereal disease was the major cause of rejection for the US Army.
  • Rates in European Armies exceeded 10% during the war.
  • 1918: VE Division of USPHS established, but war ends and interest wanes.

Copyright 1999 by the University of Florida