Page:Contraception; 1st ed. (IA in.ernet.dli.2015.94163).pdf/201

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CHAPTER SIX

made in accord with the individual woman using it (a point, I think, universally overlooked by practitioners in this country), and that it necessitates a continued supervision of the patient to the extent of an examination, removal and cleansing at intervals of two or three months, although I have also heard from others who use such an instrument that they inspect it in their patients only every six months.

Some of those who oppose contraception either on principle or from prejudice have attacked this method as an "abortifacient." This is essentially untrue and unfair; although carelessly inserted or neglected after its insertion it may become such, it must not be forgotten that anything improperly used—a crochet-hook or a finger may become an "abortifacient." A small illustration of the spring was given in the Lancet[1] with comments. Mr. Norman Haire, M.B., described the appliance as an abortifacient, but without first acquainting himself with the fact of its use by most responsible and important doctors in the United States and elsewhere as a pure contraceptive. Mr. Haire, M.B., again attacked the pessary, and also me for my "ignorance of medical matters" for advocating it. He is

  1. Lancet, November 12, 1921, p. 1003.

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