The following methods have simply the aim of preventing the male fluid from entering into the mouth of the womb; they in nowise injure the health, and are not forbidden in any civilised country either by moral codes or by law.
The principal anti-conceptional method is, of course, _absolute continence_ maintained for a long period, and this is needed in some cases, when the wife is ill, for instance, or when she requires perfect repose. The wife who wishes to remain free by this means ought nevertheless to take great care as to cleanliness, and if the husband forget himself for a moment, she should immediately give herself energetic injections; but this may be too late.
Some physicians think that _periodical abstention_ during menstruation and for a week before and after the period would suffice to prevent conception; but this cannot be trusted to. It is true that women are less apt to be impregnated at these times; but cases have been known of numbers of pregnancies taking place in spite of this precaution.
During the period of lactation the chances of pregnancy also are less; but there is no certainty in this case.
By the effort of the will and by practice, it is possible for certain men to practice connection frequently without expulsion of the male fluid; just as it is possible for civilised persons who are intelligent to keep back their tears even when deeply moved. This kind of special faculty of prevention has been called _karezza_ (to be dealt with in full in the next pamphlet).
When the husband can employ no other method, he can always practise _withdrawal_ out of the female passage before emitting; but it might suffice for the male fluid to moisten the exterior genital parts of the wife to cause impregnation.
This method is simple, without expense and requiring no preliminary preparation, but the wife should inject herself immediately with care if she suspects any negligence on the part of the husband. He too ought to wash himself thoroughly (pushing back the prepuce) before recommencing relations with his wife within 24 hours.
When the effort is not too violent for the man, and if the wife is more or less satisfied, this method is not injurious to the health. At any rate occasionally another method may be used.