h clear water.

Cold water douche--This will sometimes remove the semen quite
effectively without the aid of an antiseptic. But as the semen can
hide itself away in the wrinkled lining of the vaginal cavity, the
cold water will only impede its progress for a time. As soon as the
warmth of the body revives its activity, the semen continues on its
journey to meet the ovum.

Every woman should possess a good two quart rubber douche bag called
fountain syringe. Hang it high enough to insure a steady direct flow.

Bulb syringes, such as the whirling spray syringes, have been found
satisfactory by many women for the purpose of injecting antiseptic
solutions. Directions with syringe.

[Illustration: Fountain Syringe.]

Some women use the douche before the sexual act as a preventive. If
this is done, any astringent such as boric acid, alum, citric acid,
hydro-chlorate of quinine used in the solution will do. Only a pint of
solution is needed for this purpose, following the act a larger douche
is used as a cleanser. This can also be allowed with the regular
antiseptic douche.

THE USE OF THE CONDOM OR "COTS."

There is little doubt that a thorough douching of the genital passage
with an antiseptic solution performed by skilled hands immediately
after the sexual act would destroy the male sperm, and nothing else
would be necessary. But there is always the possibility that the sperm
has entered the womb before the solution can reach it.

It is safer therefore to prevent the possibility of the contact of the
semen and the ovum, by the interposition of a wall between them. One
of the best is the condom or rubber "cot."

These are made of soft tissues which envelope the male organ (penis)
completely and serve to catch the semen at the time of the act. In
this way the sperm does not enter the vagina.

The condoms are obtainable at all drug stores at various prices. From
two dollars a dozen for the skin gut tissues to one fifty a dozen for
the rubber tissue. These are seamless, thin and elastic and yet tough;
if properly adjusted will not break. Fear of breaking is the main
objection to their use. If space has not been allowed for expansion of
the penis, at the time the semen is expelled, the tissue is likely to
split and the sperm finds its way into the uterus. The woman becomes
pregnant without being conscious of it. If on the other hand care is
given to the adjustment of the condom, not fitting it too close, it
will a