The most important part which every woman should learn in the methods
of preventing conception, is to cleanse herself thoroughly by means of
the vaginal douche.
After the sexual act go as quickly as possible to the bath room and
prepare a douche. Lie down upon the back in the bath tub. Hang the
filled douche bag high over the tub, and let the water flow freely
into the vagina, to wash out the male sperm which was deposited during
the act.
Do not be afraid to assist the cleansing by introducing the first
finger with the tube and washing out the semen from the folds of the
membrane. One can soon learn to tell by the feeling when it is
sufficiently clean. It is said, that the French women are the most
thorough douchers in the world, which helps greatly in keeping the
organs in a clean and healthy condition, as well as preventing the
male sperm from reaching the womb to mate with the ovum.
Following are some of the solutions to be used for the douche, which,
when carefully used will kill the male sperm or prevent its entering
the womb:
Lysol--is a brown oily liquid which added to water forms a clear soapy
solution.
One teaspoonful of Lysol to 2 quarts of water (warm) makes a good
solution for douching. Mix into a pitcher or vessel before placing it
in the bag.
Bi-chloride--Get the tablets blue or white from the druggist; the blue
are less dangerous to have about because of the color. Always mix this
solution thoroughly in a glass or pitcher before turning it into the
bag. Never drop the tablet directly into the bag. One tablet to two
quarts of water makes a splendid solution for preventive purposes.
Potassium Permanganate--This also makes a good solution, especially
where there is a vaginal discharge. The special objection to this is
that it stains the skin and clothing. This can be purchased in crystal
form, and one teaspoonful dissolved in two quarts of water is the
proper strength.
Chinosol is highly recommended as a vaginal douche, as being less
injurious to the membranes than bi-chloride.
Salt solution--Mix four tablespoons of table salt in one quart of
warm or cold water and dissolve thoroughly. This is good and cheap.
Vinegar solution--Many peasants in Europe use vinegar as an antiseptic
almost exclusively. One glassful to two quarts of water is the
strength usually desired. Cider vinegar is preferred. Douche afterward
with clear water.
Cold water douche--This will sometimes remove the semen quite
effectively without the aid of an antiseptic. But as the semen can
hide itself away in the wrinkled lining of the vaginal cavity, the
cold water will only impede its progress for a time. As soon as the
warmth of the body revives its activity, the semen continues on its
journey to meet the ovum.
Every woman should possess a good two quart rubber douche bag called
fountain syringe. Hang it high enough to insure a steady direct flow.
Bulb syringes, such as the whirling spray syringes, have been found
satisfactory by many women for the purpose of injecting antiseptic
solutions. Directions with syringe.
[Illustration: Fountain Syringe.]
Some women use the douche before the sexual act as a preventive. If
this is done, any astringent such as boric acid, alum, citric acid,
hydro-chlorate of quinine used in the solution will do. Only a pint of
solution is needed for this purpose, following the act a larger douche
is used as a cleanser. This can also be allowed with the regular
antiseptic douche.