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.
MEANS THAT MAY BE USED BY THE WIFE.
The wife may prevent conception by passing into the vagina the occlusive pessary of Dr. Mensinga; if this do not remain in its place, she may rather use that named Matrisalus, which is more curved. If this also does not remain in its place, the husband should use the French Letter or condom. If, finally, the husband will not use these means, the wife may use the tubular pessary, or, for want of a better, the sponge. (This is the only method available in countries where there are no medical practitioners or other persons who know the business, and can choose and teach women how to place the pessaries.)