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another are very prevalent. Prolapse if at all serious, is apt to render the use of the occlusive rubber cap (see p. 138) impossible, or at the best to make it unreliable.

Many women suffering from prolapse wear a ring to support the uterus which makes it impossible to adjust the occlusive cap. If the cervix is fairly supported so as to be approximately in its natural position their choice of contraceptive would lie between a sponge (see p. 132) and the quinine pessary (see p. 105) either of which might be sufficient by itself. If, however, the danger involved in a pregnancy is very great a woman will probably be well advised to use both of these methods for further security. If the cervix is very seriously out of place (as is unfortunately not rare in women of middle age who have borne a good many children) the use even of both the sponge and quinine may be little or no safeguard, for if the cervix is placed low down in the vaginal canal, neither of these methods is effectively secure.

Although I think it has serious drawbacks, the only method which a woman with a low-lying cervix can herself use with any degree of safety is the feminine sheath (see p. 169). On the other hand, if she has an affectionate and reliable husband, he may