Brilliant use of the word 'booby' here. Apparently at the planning stage it was a toss-up between 'Booby Trap' and 'Breast Avoid'Photograph: National Library of MedicineThe original tagline for this one was 'Don't have sex with this enormous woman'Photograph: National Library of MedicineIt's hard to believe now but before this poster most soldiers really thought VD was victory. Hence the famous marching song You Can't Beat Me, I've Got an STDPhotograph: National Library of Medicine'Yes, hello, I'm here to see a medical officer. Yes, I think I may have been infected. No, it wasn't the enormous woman. Actually it happened on a train. No, I don't want to say any more'Photograph: National ArchivesIt's important to remember that at this point in time it was fashionable for women to wear 'severe facial sunburn' make-up. And also that men thought trouble came in bagsPhotograph: National Library of MedicineThis one's actually a piece of propaganda put about by German spies designed to highlight the positive side of syphilis. Others in the series included: 'Proves you've had sex' and 'Men with gonorrhea can't die'Photograph: National Library of MedicineThis one didn't even make sense at the time Photograph: National Library of MedicineAnother of the Nazi's pro-STD posters, this time from a later wave, with a more sophisticated existential message. Others in this second series included: 'You could literally die tomorrow, just kiss her!' and the abrupt but effective 'Balls to your balls, man!'Photograph: National ArchivesMen who know what? Is this about that incident on the train? Because we're not allowed to talk about that any more Photograph: National Library of Medicine
