In the previous pamphlets, “English Methods of Birth Control” and “Dutch
Methods of Birth Control,” one finds a duplication of the methods given
in the first pamphlet, “Family Limitation.” The French methods of Birth
Control are so nearly the same that I have decided not to duplicate
these again, but to give instead a list of the books and pamphlets
issued by the French League, and also cuts or pictures of some of the
articles they have for sale at their headquarters, 27 Rue de la Duée,
Paris. These will be found at the end of this pamphlet.
I also find that the methods used to control births in Germany, Italy,
Spain, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, India, Russia, and Japan have all been
greatly influenced by the English and Dutch Neo-Malthusian Leagues (the
two oldest Leagues). To give further national methods would be only a
waste of time and material, and would add nothing to what has already
been given. This does not mean that there are not many other mechanical
devices. There are numerous ones; but I still find that there is nothing
better, safer, cheaper, or more convenient than the pessary mentioned in
“Family Limitation.”
In France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Sweden there are strong
Neo-Malthusian movements advancing the Birth Control theories by
lectures, literature, and practical means. In Russia, Japan, India, and
United States there have been recently feeble attempts to establish
Birth Control movements; but as yet they have remained embryonic.
I have decided to close this series of pamphlets with the following
explanation of the Magnetation method, and feel that I have said all
that I can say of interest on Birth Control methods. I have gladly
donated my mite toward what I consider essential to woman’s economic,
social, and sexual freedom.
Magnetation Method of Birth Control.
Before closing this series of pamphlets on the practical methods of
Birth Control, I feel in justice to the many readers and subscribers of
the _Woman Rebel_ who inquired about the theories of Magnetation, Male
Continence, Sedular Absorption, Karezza, and Zugassent’s Discovery, that
this series would not be complete without giving at least a general idea
of these theories and their practice.
It is interesting to note that the magnetation theory had its best and
longest practice, as well as its beginning, in America, under the title
Male Continence. This method was practised for over forty years by a
group averaging 130 men and 150 women known as the Oneida Community.
They occupied a part of the old reservation of the Oneida Indians in New
York State, and lived in a harmonious and prosperous form of Communistic
society. John Humphrey Noyes was the head and founder of the group.
Through personal experience and prolonged study, he discovered the
theory of male continence. Since that time many others have come forward
with the _same theory_ under various names. Almost without exception,
each advocate has injected some kind of religion into it. The Oneida
Community was particularly a religious sect, and Alice B. Stockham, the
author of Karezza, was a fervent religionist. However, aside from this,
there are fundamental truths in the theory which bear thinking about and
should not be discarded without some consideration. In view of the
thousands of testimonials of the healthful results of the practice of
these theories, I present these methods like that of the others, and for
convenience shall classify them all under one head, “Magnetation.”
There are thousands of men and women who object to the practical and
mechanical means of Birth Control, who feel that the pessary, condom,
and douche are gross and sordid, and take away the artistic and
spiritual beauty of the act. It is those whom the magnetation method
will interest most. There are others who will claim that this method is
“not satisfying,” and can find no enjoyment in its practice. But so are
there thousands of men and women who can pass a beautiful painting and
receive no inspiration from it, or listen to a charming selection on a
musical instrument and receive no emotion from it. So are there many
whose natures are not so constructed that they can enjoy or benefit by
this method. There is no doubt that the successful attainment of this
method is dependable upon a fine spiritual bond between the two who
enjoy its practice.