Hot Springs waters and the treatment of venereal diseases: the U.S. Public Health Service Clinic and Camp Garraday.

Hot Springs, Arkansas and healing have been almost synonymous since the Indians lived in the area. From the end of World War I until the early 1940s, venereal disease patients flocked to Hot Springs for treatment. The primary focus of this paper is to tell the story of the facilities built to provide treatment. The government at both the federal, state, and local levels had to accommodate the great demand for treatment. The U.S. Public Health Service Clinic and Camp Garraday at Hot Springs were two major facilities built to meet that demand. Almost forgotten today, these two establishments afforded many patients the opportunity for healing unavailable in local situations. The Clinic provided the best treatment available and performed needed research studies on venereal disease during its peak years.