Page:Contraception; 1st ed. (IA in.ernet.dli.2015.94163).pdf/205

a view to keeping the woman free from further conception till such was again desired. It would take too much space to discuss the matter fully, but it should be borne in mind that the theoretical considerations guiding its use depend on the very important though too generally overlooked, distinction between fertilization and conception. The ovum may (though not likely) be fertilized, but the action of the spring is to cause the uterus to throw it off before conception takes place and while it is yet free-moving. In this connection the reader is advised to study the admirable chapters in Ballantyne's great work.^[1]

The method in my opinion is not suitable for women who wish merely to space desired children, as it is said that if the "wishbone" is persistently used it tends to make the uterus disinclined to settle down with a true conception.

It has of course an advantage over all other methods in not requiring daily care, and therefore it interferes least with the psychological reactions of coitus, because once inserted it requires no further thought on the part of the patient beyond inter-