What Women Ought to Know ON THE SUBJECT OF SEX

By SPENCELLA WILKESBARRE (MALFEW SEKLEW)

“Sex-reverence, sex-knowledge, sex-control,

These three alone lead life to soverign power.”

“Woman! protect thyself and all the joys of life shall be added unto thee; let unwilling motherhood cease and conjugal life shall bring happiness everlasting, and thine offspring shall be as the Gods.”

“Woman, know thyself!”

This booklet has been supplied at the special request of

……………………………………………………………………………who has declared that he or she is over 21 years of age, and considers the Artificial Limitation of the Family justifiable on both individual and national grounds, and ‘wishes to know the various Hygienic Methods of Family Limitation, and undertakes to keep it out of the hands of unmarried persons under the age of 21 years.

THE LIBERATOR LEAGUE,

THIS league has been born of the great need of woman—and especially the working-class woman—to protect herself. It is astonishing the amount of ignorance there still is on this vital subject of sex, Sex-talk is taboo! One talks about it in whispers! Why should this be? Sex is the centre of life’s happiness. The proper pairing of male and female gives us all we want to ask of life. Why, then, all this misery in married life? Let us be done with it all. Tet us get to the canker and root it out.

The days of “sweet innocence” are surely buried in oblivion. Woman can no longer afford to be innocent (or ignorant). She must gain knowledge of herself and her surroundings and be wise in her own interests.

Moreover, in these days of woman’s rapid developement in the field of industry and in the numerous other fields of activity, formerly open only to men, it is very necessary, nay essential, that she should be wise in all the branches that spring from the tree of life. It is, above all, essential that she should have full knowledge of her sexual functions, for it is only when she has this full knowledge that woman is able to avoid the pitfalls of life.

Before marriage this knowledge is essential, so that she shall not be taken unawares when the mating time comes. After marriage it is doubly essential to prevent the marital mistakes and unwanted children, which make most marriages a failure.

It is not intended to go into these matters fully here as space forbids, but books on the subject will be sent to adults who desire them.

The real aim of this introductory booklet is to awaken woman to a sense of her own welfare and to give the wife and mother the chance to limit her family should she so desire. There is nothing so tragic in life as the mental state of the unwilling mother, and it is small wonder that she resorts to all kinds of means in her attempt to release herself from her burden, It is on this point that ignorance is fatal and the few practical hints which follow are intended to spare woman from being an “unwilling mother.”

A FEW WORDS OF ADVICE.

1—Woman know thyself! Be moderate in all things. Be wise in all things. Be wise in time.

2—There is nothing wrong or unhealthy in limiting your family. On the other hand, it is both wrong and unhealthy to have unwanted babies,

3—Educated and enlightened people (doctors, clergymen, etc.), voluntarily limit their families. Why not you?

4—Do not let false modesty stand in the way of your life’s happiness.

5—Follow all instructions carefully, and never neglect to take the precautions given, as one single omission may result in failure.

IS LIMITATION OF FAMILIES NECESSARY?

This is a question which often forms the basis of argument on this subject. The answer is, of course, an individual one. Mach married couple must decide for themselves upon this important point. They must put themselves some poignant questions, such as:

1—Are we both in that physical condition conducive to healthy children?

2—Are we in a sufficiently satisfactory economic position to justify producing children?

3—Is it in our own interests to have a large family?

4—Is it in the interest of the child to make it one of a numerous family?

5—Finally, is it fair to the mother to have no respite in life apart from child-bearing?

Having thought over these points, the common-sense person will at once see which side he or she is going to take. The decision will, in 99 cases out of a 100, be in favour of limiting the number of children and of propagating only when desired.

THE MAGIC OF LOVE.

However cynics may scoff and underfed organisms may sneer, it is love that makes life worth while. Love begins to spread its magic wings over us when we are in our teens. We are full of romance and dreams—of some unknown, mysterious happiness which is still to be ours. Sweet, indeed, is “love’s young dream.” The lover comes along and appears as some young god to the maid, or as a goddess to the youth. They harmonise their natures by uniting in marriage. A child is born. All is well. Mother is happy and father is proud. Another child is born. Mother is still happy, but harassed and too busy with the children to pay much attention to father. Father is still proud but feels slighted. Another child is born and the family life becomes strained. Physical and economic worries make havoc in the happiness of the home.

What, then, do we learn from this? Just the simple facts—

1—Do not have children too early in married life.

2—Do not have children too often.

3—Do not have more children than you desire or than your economic status will allow.

Woman, be warned in time of the worries of continual child-bearing. Assert yourself and protect yourself—against your husband if needs be.

“Prevention is better than cure,” and a hint in time may save many an unwilling mother from doing desperate deeds. Be wise in time!

PREVENTIVE METHODS.

A.—METHODS TO BE USED BY THE HUSBAND.

1.—Withdrawal.—The withdrawal of the male before ejection takes place, is largely practised in France. The method (if withdrawal is complete before discharge) is always successful. But some medical men are of the opinion that the practice is hurtful to the nervous system in many persons, and therefore cannot be universally recommended. It is a method, however, advocated by many eminent physicians.

2.—French Letter—This consists of a thin tube of india-rubber, which the husband wears, and which prevents his fluid from passing into his wife. There are several qualities, varying in price from 4/- to 6/- per dozen.

3.—Everlasting Sheath—This is a heavy india-rubber tube, exactly the shape of a French Letter, but much stronger, and can be used for years. To keep in condition, wash, dry, and powder it with French chalk each time after using. Oust from 2/6 to 3/6 each.

4.—Spanish Skin.—Undoubtedly the finest of all, but, unfortunately, rather expensive, but so thin that in use they are barely noticeable at all; they are extremely strong and reliable. These are strongly recommended to those who can afford them. Cost 10/- per dozen.

5.—American Caps.—These are in shape and make as French Letters, covering the head of the penis only, with an extra connecting band. The cost is small, 3/6 to 4/6 per dozen, Extra care must be taken in using them as they are so small.

B.—METHODS TO BE USED BY THE WIFE.

1. The Soluble Pessary.—This consists of a piece of cocoa butter in which the necessary chemicals for preventing conception are mixed. They are made up in boxes containing one dozen. Price 2/6 per box. One of the pessaries should be slipped into the wife’s passage close to the mouth of the womb about five minutes before connection takes place. For sake the of cleanliness syringe next morning.

2. The Mensinga Pessary.—When properly used this is one of the most satisfactory arrangements for a woman. It consists of a round india-rubber cap with a thick edge, and is made to fit over the mouth of the womb. Care must be taken, not only to have the proper size, but to place it in the right position, to effectively cover the mouth of the womb. Simple instructions are given with each one, and they are made in three sizes, small, medium and large. Prices 3/6 and 4/6 each.

3. The Sponge.—This cheap and simple method is recommended to those to whom expense is a serious matter. Sponges are covered with a silk net with a silk band attached for withdrawal. Push it as far into the passage as possible before connection. Prices 1/-, 1/6 and 2/- each.

4. Syringing.—This consists of washing out the passage immediately after connection, so as to sterilise and carry away the male fluid. Cold Water is often effective by itself, but it is better to use a pint of warm water, to which has been added, and well mixed, any one of the following:

(a) Six tablespoonfuls of vinegar; or

(b) A teaspoonful of citric acid crystals; or

(c) One tablespoonful of hydrogen peroxide.

All of these are quite harmless and cheap.

The irrigation or washing out must be done immediately after intercourse. An Enema syringe with vaginal tube can be used. These can be had in good qualities, 4/6 to 6/- each.

To those who can afford the price we strongly recommend the Whirling Spray. This most thoroughly cleanses the parts and it does not require the wife to leave the bed. They are made in three qualities, 12/6, 15/- and 20/- each.

There are a number of other methods of prevention of conception, but those above described are probably the most satisfactory and hygienic, and offer sufficient choice for most people.

WHICH IS THE BEST METHOD?

 The answer to this question depends upon (1) whether the husband or the wife will take the trouble, (2) whether the greatest security is required, and (3) whether there is any fear of communicating disease.

The French Letter is very reliable if a good quality is secured. If either the husband’s or the wife’s organs have become diseased, it is the only method which protects the other partner against infection and it should always be used in all cases.

The methods used by the wife are more troublesome than those employed by the husband; and as the wife undergoes the trouble and pain of child-bearing, the husband ought, in fairness, to relieve her of as much trouble as possible in prevention. Syringing, when done immediately after, is reliable, but rather troublesome. Both the So the Mensinga Pessary have the great advantage that they may be used, if necessary without the knowledge of the husband; so that a woman woman may escape having children by a drunken or diseased husband. Or if her circumstances will not allow her to bring up her baby decently, she ought to take every precaution against becoming a mother—for herself, her child, and the race.

In conclusion, let it be understood that, in advocating Preventive methods, we are fully alive to the existing evil of prostitution, and it is our firm belief that prostitution would cease if wives refused to become careworn and physical inert by too much child-bearing. Most men prefer their wives—if only for safety’s sake. Released from the strain of bearing, feeding and training children, woman’s thoughts would naturally rebound towards her mate and partner. Conjugal affection and happiness would be the result. We submit, then, that it is wiser and saner to be happy with few children than to be miserable for the sake of populating the earth.

Unhappiness is the cause of most crime and immorality extant to-day. Let us be happy, then, and abolish these evils.

“The time to be happy is now.”

“The way to be happy is to be wise in your own interests,”

Take heed then, ye women, and be wise in time.

Read more: VICTOR GRAYSON, M.P.