In March 1918 the British Government, alarmed at a major and un-welcome social trend, introduced section 40D of the Defence of the Realm Act. What was this new law?
Answer: It made it an offence for a woman to pass on sexually transmitted diseases to a serviceman. The punishment was either a fine of 100 pounds – equal to almost twice a domestic servants’ annual wage – or six months’ imprisonment. The new law was in response to the alarming increase in the number of infections of servicemen, particularly by amateur and part-time prostitutes.
Source: Warrior Race by Lawrence James
