Impeditio conceptionis.—The most frequent method employed conceptum impeditare is that of coitus interruptus, or onanism at the moment when it is felt that ejaculation of the semen is about to take place. The male orgasm then occurs outside the vagina, and the female orgasm is, as a rule, not induced at all. This practice is very injurious to both mates. Although the male act is allowed to reach its acme, still the ejaculation occurring outside the natural place, the proper satisfaction is missing, and there remains a constant hankering after the repetition concubitus which leads to excesses. Besides, this constant feeling of dissatisfaction causes in the long run a number of serious symptoms in both mates.
The weakness of the brain is manifested by phobias and psychic effects, as ill humor, headaches, vertigo, syncope, insomnia, spasms of laughter or crying, irritability, fatigue and spinal pains. The affections of the gastro-intestinal canal are, spasm in swallowing, nausea, ravenous appetite or loss of appetite and constipation. The affection of the lungs is shown by nervous asthma. The heart shows palpitation and tachycardia. The genito-urinary system shows the following symptoms: impotence, frequent urination, hyperaesthesia in urethra, pressure in perineum, neuralgia of the testicles and spermatorrhoea. The muscles and skin show their affection by a certain tremor, paraesthesia in the legs and perspiration at the least exertion.
Besides these symptoms, found in men and women alike, the female shows serious local symptoms. In the woman congressus interruptus prevents the inducing of the orgasm. In this way the tumefaction of the female genitals is not removed. The genital organs become engorged and are not allowed to enjoy the relaxation, consequent upon the completion congressus. If these interrupted sexual meetings are often repeated, serious diseases of uterus and ovaries develop. The uterine walls become dense and thickened and the menstruation is disturbed. The woman suffers from pains, tenderness and the sense of bearing down. In the course of time the absence of the detumescence causes real chronic disturbances, such as vulvitis, vaginitis, erosions of the cervix, endometritis, retroposition of uterus, salpingitis, oöphoritis and even fibroids or cancers.
Furthermore, as this practice of coitus interruptus does not allow the impulse of detumescence to be gratified, after every preliminary step has been taken to arouse it, the woman often takes her refuge to stuprum manu. Hence we find after a certain lapse of time, the clitoris to be considerably enlarged in volume as well as in length. The prepuce is thickened, the labia minora are enlarged, wrinkled, contracted and slate-colored. They are frequently covered with black spots, due to an accentuated pigmentation. Repeated friction produces coxcomb labia, and thigh friction, mostly found in young girls, is the cause of one lip being larger than the other. The urinary and the vaginal orifices are open, the constrictores vesicae and cunni having lost their tonicity.
To avoid all these serious consequences in the woman, it has been suggested fascinum non est extrahendum until the woman’s impulse of detumescence has been satisfied and the tumefaction muliebrium removed. Such initus has been claimed to be of the same value for the woman as the normal. But the greatest drawback to this mode of concarnatio is that very few men will be able to perform such a delicate act. It requires a great concentration of mind to succeed. Besides, it would be an error to consider such concarnatio normal, even for the woman. For it is not entirely a matter of indifference to the woman whether the sperma flows into the vagina or not.[DD] Initus involves the transmission into the female organism of certain fluids from the man, which have a beneficial effect upon the woman. This is often demonstrated by the helpful effect marriage has upon weak and anaemic girls. A happy union is the charm wherewith to banish chlorosis and many other female ailments and irregularities. The influence of the seminal excitation is quite different from the copulative excitation. If the latter is induced while the former does not follow, the practice will cause in the woman debility and sometimes even nervous prostration.
Any device to prevent the entrance of the sperma into the vagina or uterus, such as condoms, cervical obturators or sponges, for the same reason, have an injurious effect upon the woman’s general health. Besides, all these devices do not prevent at all, especially the sacrifices at the door of the temple do not always afford security against an accidental conception. The spermatozoa with their faculty of motion may penetrate into the female genital tract without the introduction of the mentula into the vagina, and no obturator or sponge can close up the os uteri so tightly that the spermatozoa will not be able to find their way into the uterine cavity. No condom is strong enough that it will not occasionally burst, and all the precautions of months are suddenly set at naught.
The following history shows that the introduction of the fascinum into the vagina is not an absolute necessity for pregnancy.
An uncle brought his niece, eighteen years of age, to the author with some indefinite intestinal complaints. Several physicians made the diagnosis pregnancy. But the girl, knowing that she never had any carnal relations, laughed at their diagnosis. The examination showed an intact hymen and a vaginal lumen which had never been dilated. But the combined examination per rectum did reveal a four months' pregnancy. The girl was told that her virginal state showed that she really never had any carnal relations, but that dalliance with a lover during which ejaculation takes place upon the crines volvulæ may be the cause of pregnancy. This must have happened in her case. Thereupon the girl broke down and confessed that such dalliance has been indulged in.
Minime perniciosa marito maritæque sunt suppositoria medicata, pulveres et injectiones acidae statim post initum. But they are all no more trustworthy in killing the spermatozoa than congressus interruptus and all the other anti-conceptional devices. They all fail without exception.[DE]
The best means conceptionem impedire is total abstinence, which is perfectly harmless for those who are able to accomplish it. Chastity does no harm to the soul nor to the body. The belief that abstinence causes diseases of the genitals or impotency of any kind is a great error. Love never dies of want, but it often dies of indulgence. Abstinence has for those who are able to maintain it no harmful consequences. But it may be said that sexually normal individuals are generally unequal to the task. Especially is abstinence almost impossible in married people, whose nerves are keyed to the highest pitch by the close intimacies of their lives.