Diagram 1.—Female organs of generation in normal condition. This shows diagrammatically the position of the organs if a woman were cut in two between the thighs. The rubber pessary is shown in position, slightly distending upper end of vagina (or front passage), and covering the opening into interior of womb. A suppository introduced beforehand will dissolve and occupy the dotted space above rubber pessary, forming a pool around the mouth of the womb. The walls of the vagina are elastic and collapsible. Infection with gonorrhœa may occur in the female urethra (or water passage) or in the vagina, etc. Syphilis may infect internal and external parts of female organs; also breasts, mouth, tongue, etc., and other openings of the body.
Neither of these two methods in practical application by ordinary women can be said to be completely certain. Both are apt to fail at times. The chemical method, that is, the application by the woman of a suitable soluble contraceptive suppository before connection, or of a germicidal douche (such as a dilute solution of lysol) after connection, or both these measures taken consecutively, may fail because of some fault in application, or because the seminal fluid actually enters the womb during intercourse; that is to say, when emission takes place, the end of the male organ may be exactly opposite and close to the mouth of the womb, and the spermatazoa in the seminal fluid enter directly into the womb, and cannot then be removed or destroyed by douching or contraceptives of any kind. Now if the physical conformation of the reproductive organs of the husband and the wife render this event possible or probable, then soluble suppositories and contraceptive douching are alike unreliable, by themselves or in combination. On the other hand, the mechanical method, that is, the use of a rubber protector, preferably the spiral-spring occlusive[G] "Dutch" pessary, by the woman may also fail, because the protector is porous or ill-fitting. But—if the two methods are combined, the chemical method and the mechanical method, then the protection against fertilisation may be regarded as almost absolute. The completeness of the protection depends, of course, upon the proper application and combination of the measures advised.
Uterus, Ovary and Fallopian Tube
Diagram 2.—The Fallopian tubes and ovaries are not shown on Diagram 1. There are two ovaries and two Fallopian tubes, one on each side of the uterus. The female cells or ova are formed in the ovaries and discharged into the Fallopian tubes, along which they travel into the uterus. It is believed that the union of the male with the female cell usually occurs in the Fallopian tubes, but that it may occur in the uterus.
Diagram 3.—This diagram shows the male urethra or passage down the male organ as somewhat distended. Generally, the walls of this passage are collapsed together. The seminal fluid is discharged down the urethra and emitted at orifice marked "meatus." The small glands indicated are especially liable to be infected with gonorrhœa germs, but infection may occur almost throughout the entire length of the male passage. Infection with syphilis may occur on the outside of the male organs and elsewhere.
I have discussed the various measures fully with leading medical authorities in London and Paris and elsewhere during the last five years, and have gradually evolved the recommendations made here, and these recommendations have the highest medical and scientific support and approval. Other methods than those recommended are referred to in Appendix I; to enumerate here those that have been eliminated would be purposeless and confusing. We are satisfied that we have selected the least harmful and most reliable methods known to science yet. These methods and these only will be explained and recommended. Everything possible has been done to make the methods acceptable to women.
UNATTAINABLE CONDITIONS.
Before detailing these methods, I want to ask every woman to rid her mind of certain false hopes and impossible demands. It is no use asking for something which gives no trouble at all, which costs nothing, and which is at the same time absolutely certain to prevent conception. These conditions are unattainable. But almost absolute control of her reproductive functions is most certainly attainable by every careful, intelligent woman willing to spend a good deal less time and money over her sexual toilet than she now spends over the care of her teeth, for example.