Page:Contraception; 1st ed. (IA in.ernet.dli.2015.94163).pdf/41

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CHAPTER TWO

in the way of methods to achieve control over conception during a fully and properly performed coital act by normal and fertile people?

It may be briefly stated at the outset that the absolutely ideal (as considered from the point of view of strictly scientific perfection) method of contraception has not yet been devised, although one or two humanly satisfactory methods are in use to which little objection can be taken, as they very nearly conform to the theoretical requirements.

In the great variety of contraceptives in use or which could be imagined, one or other of three essential characteristics are necessarily involved:—

  1. That the ovum itself is rendered irresponsive or incapable of fusing with the sperm.
  2. That the sperm is prevented from meeting with the ovum.
  3. That the contraceptive renders the ejaculated sperm infertile.

Theoretically, it is perfectly possible to imagine some injection, serum, toxin, or internal secretion, which might render the ovum or the sperm respectively incapable of playing its part in fertilization. Such a contraceptive may appear to have many

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