VD

The book explores the historical impact of sexually transmitted diseases, specifically gonorrhoea and syphilis, on Australian soldiers during the twentieth century. It highlights how these diseases, prevalent among troops in overseas deployments, significantly affected military readiness and operational capability. Prior to the introduction of penicillin in the mid-1940s, the debilitating effects of these infections led to thousands of soldiers being incapacitated for extended periods, illustrating a critical yet often overlooked aspect of military history.