Braver he who controls himself!”
It is a noble sentiment, and very appropriate to the present discussion.
[39]. The author of these pages having resided many years in France, where this preventive has been used with infallible and invariable success, can vouch for its efficacy, healthiness and certainty. While there, he was importuned to take the agency for its disposal in the United States. But aware of the extreme sensitiveness, verging upon mawkishness, with which the agitation of a question of this nature would be viewed; the misapprehension to which it might give rise, and the difficulty of presenting it to the consideration of the public, it was not without some reluctance that he was induced to take the exclusive agency for its sale in this country. The numerous testimonials, however, of its efficacy, and the warm expressions of gratitude and thankfulness he has received since taking the agency, have convinced him that this invaluable preventive has been appreciated.
Its efficacy is beyond question, as in Europe, among the higher classes especially, it is universally used, and of late among all classes. Thousands of married persons have for years used it with invariable success. Instances are related by the author from whom we have liberally quoted, exactly similar to hundreds which have come to the knowledge of the writer of these pages. The principle upon which it prevents conception, is to neutralize the fecundating properties in semen, and it preserves and conduces to the health of the female, by eradicating all predisposition to sexual weakness, fluor albus, or whites, the falling of the womb, &c., and restores and maintains that elasticity and firmness of the generative functions (appertaining only to a young female) for many years. The French, who are scrupulously observant of themselves in these particulars, and who retain their health, vivacity, and capacity to receive and impart enjoyment, to a remarkable age, would not for worlds abstain from the use of M. Desomeaux’s Preventive to Conception, merely from its effects in preserving their youth to an old age, and would not permit a sexual act to transpire without its use. When used under these circumstances, the directions are somewhat varied. It is well known that the French always have intervals of three, four, or more years, between the birth of children, depending upon either the health of the wife, or inclination or judgment of parents. In cases of malformation, deformity of pelvis, low state of health, its use is indispensable. In obtaining this celebrated preventive, it is advisable in all cases to communicate directly with him, the sole agent of the United States, for the disposal of “M. Desomeaux’s Preventive to Conception.” The packages can be forwarded to all parts of the United States. Letters must be postpaid, and addressed to Dr. A. M. Mauriceau, Box “1224,” N. Y. Office 129 Liberty street, N. Y. Price of packages Ten Dollars.
[40]. In France, and on the Continent of Europe generally, a covering (used by the male), called a baudruche (known as the French Secret), is used with success, with the view of preventing pregnancy. Its intention, however, and for which, perhaps, it is specially adapted, is to obviate the penalty incurred by prostitution, and thereby guard against the contraction of syphilis. But as the object of the author is not to facilitate, but, on the contrary, effectually to prevent the degrading intercourse the consequences of which are sought to be avoided, in adverting to it therefore, he has only in view its adaptation to prevent conception. If made of proper material and texture, it can, to a certain extent, be relied upon. Deeming this latter consideration of essential importance, and having been applied to in regard to it, he has imported them made of the only material of which they should be composed. Address Dr. A. M. Mauriceau, Box “1224,” N. Y. City, who will send them by mail to any part of the United States. Price $5 a dozen.
[41]. “This, of course, must be rather a matter of conjecture and approximation, than of accurate calculation.”
[42]. “Any young man who will carefully note and compare his sensations, will become convinced, that temperance positively forbids such indulgence, at any rate, more than twice a week; and that he trifles with his constitution who neglects the prohibition. How immeasurably important that parents should communicate to their sons, but especially to their daughters, facts like these! It is true that much depends upon habit, as some individuals can indulge even daily without apparently sustaining any physical injury; but such a frequency may not be compatible with the well-being of both parties, and should therefore not be encouraged.”
[43]. The writer, under the circumstances just mentioned, in the course of his practice as Professor of the Diseases of Women, has been called upon to effect miscarriages, and in all cases, it has proved perfectly safe, recovery following in about three days. When necessary to be attended to, the earlier the better, but in no case, if properly effected, with ordinary care on the part of the patient, is it attended with any danger. A skilful and practised obstetrician will impart no pain.
[44]. Anodyne Clyster.—A gill of new milk, or thin starch, or the same quantity of any of the mucilaginous substances composing Simple and Emollient Clysters, which consist of milk and water in equal parts: flax-seed tea; infusion of quince-seed; barley water; mucilage of gum Arabic, or slippery elm; thin starch. From half a pint to a pint of either of these should be administered a little more than milk warm, with the addition of one or two teaspoonfuls of laudanum, for adults. In general, a patient will bear three times the quantity of laudanum administered in this way, than would be a proper dose when taken into the stomach: so that, when to procure rest, twenty-five drops would be given in a draught, seventy-five may be administered in a clyster, and the sickness, and other ill consequences, which some persons complain of after laudanum has been taken into the stomach, seldom follow when administered by clyster.
[45]. If faintness occurs from the loss of blood by flooding, a little brandy, with two-thirds cold water, should be given in frequent and small quantities at a time. Nothing so speedily restores the strength in such cases.