The principal anti-conceptional method is, of course, _absolute
continence_ maintained for a long period, and this is needed in some
cases, when the wife is ill, for instance, or when she requires
perfect repose. The wife who wishes to remain free by this means
ought nevertheless to take great care as to cleanliness, and if the
husband forget himself for a moment, she should immediately give
herself energetic injections; but this may be too late.
Some physicians think that _periodical abstention_ during
menstruation and for a week before and after the period would
suffice to prevent conception; but this cannot be trusted to. It is
true that women are less apt to be impregnated at these times; but
cases have been known of numbers of pregnancies taking place in
spite of this precaution.
During the period of lactation the chances of pregnancy also are
less; but there is no certainty in this case.
By the effort of the will and by practice, it is possible for
certain men to practice connection frequently without expulsion of
the male fluid; just as it is possible for civilised persons who are
intelligent to keep back their tears even when deeply moved. This
kind of special faculty of prevention has been called _karezza_ (to
be dealt with in full in the next pamphlet).
When the husband can employ no other method, he can always practise
_withdrawal_ out of the female passage before emitting; but it might
suffice for the male fluid to moisten the exterior genital parts of
the wife to cause impregnation.
This method is simple, without expense and requiring no preliminary
preparation, but the wife should inject herself immediately with
care if she suspects any negligence on the part of the husband. He
too ought to wash himself thoroughly (pushing back the prepuce)
before recommencing relations with his wife within 24 hours.
When the effort is not too violent for the man, and if the wife is
more or less satisfied, this method is not injurious to the health.
At any rate occasionally another method may be used.
When the male organ is covered by an indiarubber _French Letter_,
condom, or Malthus sheath, a little bag with thin walls, there is no
chance of the woman being impregnated if the bag be not torn. In all
instrument-makers’ shops they are sold at from two to three
shillings the dozen. One rather too large is to be preferred, for
these bags contract if used more than once.
When the husband makes use of the French Letter, it must be
unrolled, pushing it up not quite to the end, expressing with the
hand the air bubbles which may remain in its cavity; the bottom may
also be moistened inside with a little soapy water or saliva.
If, after using it, the French Letter be empty, it is evident that
it must have been torn, in which case the wife should immediately
use careful injections; but this may be too late.
One letter may suffice for several times; in this case, it must each
time be carefully wiped off or washed and dried and inflated in
order to remove the folds, and to see that it has not been torn; and
lastly, it may be powdered with a little powder inside and outside.
The best powder is that of lycopodium, which is obtainable at a
cheap rate in druggist shops. After having powdered it, the French
Letter may be opened by means of two fingers, and be rolled up again
when required for further use.
The same French Letter should not be too often used, perhaps two
weeks or six times, and it should not be too old, for in the lapse
of time it loses its properties. Like all things made of
indiarubber, it is well to keep it in a rather damp, cool place, and
shield it from light or frost, it must not be touched by greasy
substances, such as oil, fat, vaseline, paraffin, etc., nor with
carbolic acid or other substances which act upon indiarubber.
There are also French Letters or condoms of gut, called _Skin
Letters_, made from the cœcum of sheep. These are sold at higher
prices, and are more durable and stronger than the indiarubber ones.
They have the fault that they become somewhat hard after frequent
use. They are not elastic, and therefore cannot be rolled up, so
that they cannot be used if they are too narrow. Before use, it
should be carefully examined against the light to see that it is not
made of pieces glued together, which fall asunder as soon as the bag
is moistened, and then it must be blown up gently to see that there
are no holes in it. When good, it may be used for a month. Their
employment is quite like that of indiarubber letters.
The French Letter is the only preventive which diminishes a great
deal the chances of contracting venereal diseases.
When there is any chance of venereal contagion, it is necessary to
wash the French Letter with a solution of corrosive sublimate
(perchloride of mercury), one in 10,000 parts of water; then it
should be dried and powdered. By using this solution immediately
after connection, it is seen at once whether the French Letter has
been torn; in this case, the man must wash himself, and the woman
should use an injection with the same solution, not only to prevent
contagion to both of themselves, but she also to prevent the birth
of an infected infant.
When the husband is drunk, and his wife, fearing that a miserable
child will be born, has no other preventive at hand, she can perhaps
apply the French Letter as if caressing him, when he does not know
what he is doing. At all events, she should always take care that
one or two French Letters be ready for use.