Page:Contraception; 1st ed. (IA in.ernet.dli.2015.94163).pdf/104

This doctor (who desires me not to publish his name) writes: "It is easy to prove with a microscope and a warm stage (as for observations on white blood corpuscles) that living and active spermatozoa are present in the beads of clear secretion which often—probably always—are seen at the urethra when an erection of the penis has lasted for even a short time. This is mostly secretion of Cowper's glands, like the Bartholin secretion in women, and serves as a natural lubricant. I have myself seen the spermatozoa in it." This takes place even in perfectly healthy men. We must also bear in mind cases of "spermatorrhœa "in which even large drops of semen exude during rectal evacuation and may remain clinging to the glans penis.

Coitus interruptus is, therefore, an inherently unreliable method. Many medical practitioners now recognize this as a very unsafe as well as harmful method, although Dr. J. Rutgers, the Dutch Malthusian expert, says: "Withdrawal is also a secure method when the husband has, or acquires, sufficient control of himself."^[1] This I deny.

Comment.—For general use the method should always be advised against, although