“Sheep intestines fashioned into a condom; crocodile dung with acidic properties for vaginal insertion; and hundreds of metal and plastic swirls, squiggles, loops and bows that form various intrauterine devices” — even beaver-testical tea — these are some of “the artifacts in the 11 display cases in the History of Contraception Museum in Cleveland, the nation’s only museum dedicated to the world of birth control,” writes Cynthia Cooper for Women’s ENews at Alternet.
Casanova, the famous Italian 18th century libertine, reportedly recommended that his lovers insert a half-lemon with the juice extracted as a cervix cover.
Text dating to 1580 B.C. suggests grinding dates, acacia and honey to coat the vulva. More below with, of course, a poll:
Now retired and living in Toronto, Skuy is still on the lookout for new items to add to the display.
[………………]
The collection of ingenious products to prevent pregnancy extends to cervical caps, diaphragms, sponges, amulets and condoms of all sorts, from the manufactured to the homemade candy wrapper and saran wrap.
“These are intimate articles. People don’t tend to save them, and for that reason, they are extremely rare,” said James Edmonson, chief curator of the Dittrick Medical History Museum, who says that he wants to continue to refine the museum to add retrospective social context and descriptions to the items.
The exhibit and its 650 artifacts–ranging from beaver-testical tea believed to prevent pregnancy to tiny pills in circle packaging–may serve as a reminder to U.S. politicians that the 93 percent of U.S. women who are at risk of pregnancy and who use contraception have plenty of historical precedent.
– Alternet
From the serious side of the article:
Then, as now, all the efforts on contraception are focused on women, with the underlying, unspoken message that women are at fault, morally lax, to blame when they become pregnant.
Seems to me such efforts should focus on the causes of the pregnancies. Yes, you guys.
Thanks for the smile, Susan – nice break from all else. Unless I’m thinking of the wrong, um, “appliance”. . .I tend to enjoy the sheep condoms. (And that was waaaaaaaay too much information to share with strangers – or friends – on a Sunday morning – or Monday through Saturday!)
Reminds me of the swift, hard kick I received from my husband (under the table) when we met with a priest prior to getting married. (I hadn’t been to a Catholic church in awhile, and I didn’t see anything wrong with asking the priest about the current stance of the church regarding the use of contraceptives.) And when I found out (after much stammering and blushing from the priest) “Thou shalt not use contraceptives” – we got “married” by a JP, because I didn’t want to break any of them there church laws.
She shoots – she scores!! Once again finding myself taking a thread so far off topic one would never know the original subject matter. I. Just. Can’t. Help. Myself. And I’m really sorry. (But not sorry enough to delete that paragraph :^)
Have a great day, Susan!
And, as usual, by the time I posted my last comment it was completely inappropriate for the serious tone the thread had assumed. (But at least I’m consistent)
On a more seriousness note (aligned with the commentor above – and coupled with my comment about the Catholic Church) a friend of mine got married in the Catholic Church knowing full well she’d be using contraceptives. Forty years ago, her first pregnancy turned into a miscarriage, and to this day she still carries a tremendous emotional burden that the miscarriage occurred because she went against the teachings of the Church.
Hey, Booman … what do the whores use on Deadwood? Trixie said she’d “miscarried” a few times. Alma clearly wasn’t using much, if any, protection … and I don’t think Seth asked 🙂
My timing today sucks – plain and simple. By the time I got around to posting my serious comment – you had taken the thread back to fun and frivolity :^)
Just a little background: a certain General Condom in Cromwell’s ‘Puritan’ army during the British Civil War, commanded his troops to use sheepgut devices during the inevitable raping and pillaging operations. Not however as protection against fertilization, but against disease.
“sold for the prevention of disease only.”
They put wool in female camels’ uteri (sic?) to prevent
conception. No wonder camels are so cranky.
women who use the RCC approved rhythm method of birth control?
Answer: Mothers.
singing
(Tune: I’ve Got Rhythm)
‘We used rhythm, Yes! we used rhythm.
We ONLY used rhythm,
and now we’ve got a housefull of kids.’
Fascinating stuff! Great diary! Thanks!