A CHAPTER FOR MARRIED PEOPLE 537 



and which, if nothing arrests its invasion, will soon 

 have attained the proportions of a scourge; we speak 

 of the degeneration of the womb. We do not hesitate 

 to place in the foremost rank, among the causes of this 

 redoubtable disease, the refinements of civilization, and 

 especially the artifices introduced in our day in the 

 generic act. When there is no procreation, although 

 the procreative faculties are excited, we see these 

 pseudo-morphoses arise. Thus it is noticed that polypi 

 and schirrus [cancer] of the womb are common among 

 prostitutes. ' ' 



"We may, we trust, be pardoned for remarking 

 ujDon the artifices imagined to prevent fecundation, that 

 there is in them an immense danger, of incalculable 

 limits. We do not fear to be contradicted or taxed 

 with exaggeration in elevating them into the propor- 

 tions of a true calamity." 



The following is from an eminent physician * who 

 for many years devoted his whole attention to the dis- 

 eases of women, and lectured upon the subject in a 

 prominent medical college: 



''It is undeniable that all the methods employed 

 to prevent pregnancy are physically injurious. Some 

 of these have been characterized with sufficient explic- 

 itness, and the injury resulting from incomplete coitus 

 to both parties has been made evident to all who are 

 willing to be convinced. It should require but a mo- 

 ment's consideration to convince any one of the harm- 

 fulness of the common use of cold ablutions and 

 astringent infusions and various medicated washes. 

 Simple, and often wonderfully salutary, as is cold 

 water to a diseased limb festering with inflammation, 

 yet few are rash enough to cover a gouty toe, rheu- 

 matic knee, or erysipelatous head with cold water. 



*Dr. Gardner. 32 



