Neither of these two methods in practical application by ordinary women can be said to be completely certain.  Both are apt to fail at times.  The chemical method, that is, the application by the woman of a suitable soluble contraceptive suppository before connection, or of a germicidal douche (such as a dilute solution of lysol) after connection, or both these measures taken consecutively, may fail because of some fault in application, or because the seminal fluid actually enters the womb during intercourse; that is to say, when emission takes place, the end of the male organ may be exactly opposite and close to the mouth of the womb, and the spermatazoa in the seminal fluid enter directly into the womb, and cannot then be removed or destroyed by douching or contraceptives of any kind.  Now if the physical conformation of the reproductive organs of the husband and the wife render this event possible or probable, then soluble suppositories and contraceptive douching are alike unreliable, by themselves or in combination.  On the other hand, the mechanical method, that is, the use of a rubber protector, preferably the spiral-spring occlusive[G] “Dutch” pessary, by the woman may also fail, because the protector is porous or ill-fitting.  But—­if the two methods are combined, the chemical method and the mechanical method, then the protection against fertilisation may be regarded as almost absolute.  The completeness of the protection depends, of course, upon the proper application and combination of the measures advised.

[Footnote G:  Judging by certain original letters (dated December, 1888, to November, 1892), which I have seen myself, by the courtesy of Messrs. E. Lambert & Son, of 60, Queen’s Road, Dalston, London, E.8, the rubber spring pessary was first suggested here by an English doctor, and manufactured for him by Mr. E. Lambert Sen.  Under date December 23rd, 1888, the doctor wrote:—­

“I think highly of the watch-spring rim.  There will be very little fear of conception with one of these new pessaries properly adjusted, as the rim will press equally all round.  The inflated pessary would be the most perfect, however, if you could only contrive some method to prevent escape of air and consequent flattening.  Such a pessary would be most comfortable.”]

[Illustration:  UTERUS, OVARY AND FALLOPIAN TUBE.

DIAGRAM 2.—­The Fallopian tubes and ovaries are not shown on Diagram 1.  There are two ovaries and two Fallopian tubes, one on each side of the uterus.  The female cells or ova are formed in the ovaries and discharged into the Fallopian tubes, along which they travel into the uterus.  It is believed that the union of the male with the female cell usually occurs in the Fallopian tubes, but that it may occur in the uterus.]

[Illustration:  DIAGRAM 3.—­This diagram shows the male urethra or passage down the male organ as somewhat distended.  Generally, the walls of this passage are collapsed together.  The seminal fluid is discharged down the urethra and emitted at orifice marked “meatus.”  The small glands indicated are especially liable to be infected with gonorrhoea germs, but infection may occur almost throughout the entire length of the male passage.  Infection with syphilis may occur on the outside of the male organs and elsewhere.]