seventeenth century birth control?

Question

I read in a work of fiction that in the seventeenth century a man would use a sillk handkercheif as a condom as contraception. Anybody know if there's any truth to this? doesn't sound like it would work too well, but, well, very little of their medecine did. They were using leeches, and cutting off limbs in the 17th c. so...just wondering if anyone else has heard this one.

Answer 1

Ahh - - - the mystery that baffles so called
right-to-lifers & other Evangelical Christian sorts who spread the lie that contraception is a modern invention. Not jagging YOU just those who don't do their Math. If a man did wrap a certain part of his anatomy in silk it is true that silk by itself would NOT provide protection against unwanted procreation BUT was much like a modern codom that keeps the skin from catching some nasty germs.
Here is the math.
As women ought to know ever since ancient Egypt and further back than that, that a rag or sponge soaked in citrus juice kills sperm, and thus is inserted in whereever .... Reference the 'Seinfield' term 'Spongeworthy.' A French Gentleman most likely wouldn't worry all that much about Contraception BUT if he was worried about fathering a child he could always soak silk in citrus juice (limes or lemons deemed best) and thus decrease the likelihood of fathering a monstrosity (of course super sperm have been known to resist all efforts at contrapception)....

Anyhow most likely though the use of silk was to avoid disease not parenthood...

Peace........... o o o p p o o o p p o o o

PS Despite what gets said not all 17th Century Medicine was bogus.... Leeches were used then and are still in use.
Opium was being used to deaden pain. Etc.,,,,

Answer 2

The two most widely used birth control methods in the 17th century were coitus interruptus and breastfeeding. Of the two, the latter was likely more effective, since nursing a baby suppresses ovulation.

However, even in the 17th century, it wasn't unusual to wean babies early, so there were a lot of children who were born close together.

Answer 3

I have read about this method before, but don't remember the source. For the most part, abstinance was the most used form. Husbands would use slaves, servants or hookers to relieve their needs if trying to avoid impregnating their wives.

Answer 4

Nope, heard of sheeps gut being used tho.

Answer 5

I've heard of sheep intestine, but not that one...