V.D. AND THE U.H.S.

To the Editors of the Crimson:

Today it was misfortune to endure an experience at University Health Services that I feel warrants the attention of the Harvard community. Before I narrate the episode, however, some groundwork should be laid in relation to previous encounters at our services. In the past, I have gone into the center for an athletic physical and have been asked how I felt. When I said "fine" they said "great", and signed the form. Friends have gone in for a variety of ailments only to get the standard "two aspirins and lots of liquid" answer that is typical of an average encounter at U.H.S.

Today, I cautiously returned to U.H.S., aware that there was possibility, no matter how slight, that I had contracted venereal disease. In order to become perfectly sure, I went to U.H.S. for a blood test. The encounter was disgusting. While at the health services, I was unbelievably hassled by one of the doctors on duty, with statements to the effect of "you shouldn't get yourself into situations like this" and "What makes you think you got V.D.?" And as he finally signed the form that admitted me to the lab for the test, he bade me farewell with a "I do hope this is the last time."

When a student cannot go into the health services without being intimidated and harassed, it is indeed a sad state of affairs. The personal harrassment in this particular issue, however, is not my major concern. What is of even greater importance is the fact that V.D. has spread to 2.5 million people in the United States, and is the second most common communicable disease in the country, topped only by the common cold (Source: N.Y. Times). For a doctor to discourage tests for this dreaded and dangerous disease (if left untreated), is a total outrage.

It is time for the University Health Services to be just that--a health service. If its patients are going to continue to be forced in the future to hear the common "two aspirins and lots of liquid" jargon that we have in the past, then it is time for our tuition "package" that includes "health care" to become optional. I would much rather pay more and be treated in a clinic that gives you the feeling that your ailment has been properly diagnosed, than to sit for two hours in a place that only seems to succeed in allowing you to catch the other viruses floating around from other patients who are also waiting.

We at Harvard have paid for medical care; we should get it. Name withheld by request