'A Bit of a Scratch', a radio drama about the battle against Venereal Disease during the First World War

'A Bit of a Scratch' explores the first recorded prosecution
under the Venereal Diseases Act 1917. The legislation was
introduced due to the large numbers, roughly 5%, of UK troops
returning from the First World War with venereal diseases and to
ensure that treatment was undertaken by qualified medical
professionals. The last century has seen remarkable developments
in sexual health, however with rising numbers of sexually
transmitted infections and the emergence of antimicrobial
resistant disease, the provision of high quality sexual health
services are more important than ever.


This podcast was produced jointly with the British Association
for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). More information on the issues
contained within this podcast can be found on the BASHH website
and @BASHH_UK.


By: Debbie Manship


Cast (in order of appearance):


Narrator: Stephen McGann

Billy: Louis Cardona

Edie: Lowri Amies

Chemist: David Jarvis

Doctor: Peter Wickham

All other parts were played by members of the cast.

Composer: Chris Madin

Studio Engineer: Holly Parris

Director: Paul Dawson



Produced by Role Call and iD Audio in association with M & F
Health Communications"The British Army's fight against Venereal
Disease in the 'Heroic Age of Prostitution'" by Richard Marshall
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0