The monitoring of prostitution

The prostitution which had burgeoned behind the front was closely monitored by the military authorities. The fear of widespread contamination among the troops, and thus the enfeeblement of the fighting force, explain the introduction of a strict system of health monitoring for prostitutes. French and German doctors alike were involved in this. In 1917, 874 women were examined. On 1st January 1917, of 407 prostitutes 192 were admitted to three hospitals: Rue de Thionville, Façade de l’Esplanade and at La Treille.
The German military doctors criticised the French lack of urgency in treating women who were regarded as traitors to the nation.