---
title: Venereal Diseases - Quack "Cures" are Useless
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-venereal-diseases-quack-cures-are-useless-1939/
description: A photographed man examines a pill from a bottle beside a large 'VD' and the banner 'Quack "cures" are useless', with an arrow pointing down to the text.
section: Collection
---

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3. Venereal Diseases - Quack "Cures" are Useless

[![Venereal Diseases - Quack "Cures" are Useless, 1939 UK poster: A photographed man examines a pill from a bottle beside](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-venereal-diseases-quack-cures-are-useless-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-venereal-diseases-quack-cures-are-useless-1939.jpg)

# Venereal Diseases - Quack "Cures" are Useless

A photographed man examines a pill from a bottle beside a large 'VD' and the banner 'Quack "cures" are useless', with an arrow pointing down to the text. The label 'quack' dismisses all self-treatment in one word, and 'Delay is dangerous' appeals to fear, while the poster also gives practical information that treatment is free and confidential.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/) [Name-calling](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/name-calling/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
VD
Venereal Diseases
Quack "cures" are useless

NO SELF TREATMENT EVER CURED SYPHILIS OR GONORRHŒA. IF YOU THINK YOU ARE INFECTED, GET THE BEST MEDICAL ADVICE. DELAY IS DANGEROUS

Confidential information and advice about venereal diseases and their treatment can be obtained FREE from the Local Health Department or from the Medical Adviser, Central Council for Health Education, Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, London, W.C.1

Treatment is free and confidential

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND THE CENTRAL COUNCIL FOR HEALTH EDUCATION

[...] for H.M. Stationery Office by J. Howitt & Son Ltd., Nottingham.  51-3250
```

[← Use less WATER! Less water - more shells](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-use-less-water-less-water-more-shells-1939/) [Venereal Diseases - Tomorrow's Citizen →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-venereal-diseases-tomorrows-citizen-mount-1939/)

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- [Tyrants Prostrate, Liberty Triumphant (pro-Polk cartoon on Dorr), 1844](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/tyrants-prostrate-liberty-triumphant-polk-1844/) (United States · 1844 · Name-calling, Fear appeal). Content note: Speech balloons contain anti-Catholic and nativist wording ('the ruins of Popery') in the mouths of the Whig figures, written by a Democratic cartoonist and shown unaltered.
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