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CHAPTER FIVE

various books and pamphlets advising "Malthusian" methods.

My own book, "Wise Parenthood" (1918) was, I think, the first publication giving general advice on contraceptive methods which specifically advised against douching.

Most unfortunately "Birth Controllers" in general have encouraged women to douche daily, or often "as an ordinary measure of hygienic cleanliness."[1] I most strongly deprecate this and have long thought the effects, both physiological and· psychological, of douching frequently are very bad, except, of course, in cases of specific disease where douching may be a necessary part of the treatment. In my opinion, douching is to be condemned for all healthy ordinary women. The natural contents of the vagina should not be thus intruded upon. The general effect on the system, particularly of cold douching, is a tendency to catarrh, congestion and other troubles. Frequent douching also has a tendency to destroy the natural secretions and also the normal bacterial inhabitants of

  1. ↑ See for instance the Malthusian League's "Practical Leaflet"; Dr. Rutgers' Dutch Malthusian League pamphlet; also Dr. G. Hardy, "How to prevent Pregnancy." Paris.

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