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[CONTRACEPTION RULES FOR USERS AND PHYSICIANS] Vitreograph imprints prepared for the Provincial Museum and Exhibition of the Maternal and Child Health Protection. [1930s]
Item #8184
1) Chto dolzhna znat’ predokhraniaiushchaiasia zhenshchina [i.e. What Woman Should Know about Contraception] / revised by F. Azerlian. 2 pages of handwritten text.
2) Instruktsiia dlia vrachei : O poriadke primeneniia pretivozachatochnykh sredstv [i.e. Instructions for Physicians : On Proper Use of Contraceptive Methods]. 4 pages of handwritten text.
3) Biolaktin [i.e. Biolactine]. 1 page of typewritten text.
7 pp. in total. 29,5x21 cm. Tears of edges and along creases, ink date April 24, 1935 on blank upper edge of every imprint, a stamp of the issuing organization on the leaf #3.
Extremely rare reproductions made for the Museum of the Maternal and Child Health Protection that was located in Moscow.
The Department of the Maternal and Child Health Protection (MCHP) was founded by Vera Lebedeva in 1918, as a part of the People’s Commissariat for Health. In 1922, she also initiated the scientific institute that studied motherhood and infanthood. The Department of the MCHP took up the creation of women’s and children’s consultants, as well as mass educational institutions, especially in villages where summertime nurseries and children’s areas were needed. The organization worked on the prevention of women’s diseases, abortion and contraception practices, juridical consulting for mothers, activity against homeless life of orphans, labor exchange for single mothers. In 1923, contraception was legalized in the USSR and the Central Research Commission for the Study of Contraceptives was formed with a special laboratory, both under control of the Department of the MCHP. The commission undertook investigations on biological, clinical, statistical, etc. questions bearing on the subject.
“What Woman Should Know about Contraception” lists 22 points. Firstly, compilers explain that abortion is a procedure of high risks that harms women and makes her unable to work. Contraceptives are presented as a tool for the struggle against abortion. Then, some sentences define when women need to visit a gynecologist to ask for contraceptive methods, which one may be used by a woman herself and which one requires the help of a physician. Cervical caps and chemical contraceptives are mentioned and few recommendations on hygiene are added as well. Among chemical methods Biolactine, Prokonsol and Kontratseptin are specified.
“Instructions for Physicians” are more expanded. For wide promotion of contraceptive methods, the Department of the Maternal and Child Health Protection obliged women’s consultants to hold preventive talks on the subject. In cities, physicians were qualified to prescribe contraceptives, in rural areas lacking doctors, obstetricians might do it after instructions from a gynecologist. All medical personnel had to struggle with the use of X-ray, withdrawal and lubrication of the uterine cavity with iodine as unsafe and unreliable contraceptive methods. In the instructions, physicians were informed that a patient card is required for notes on contraception, woman’s period and all complaints. They were also compelled to make statistics about contraceptives.
Gynecologists were notified of more methods than readers of “What Woman Should Know about Contraception”. This list was complemented with a rubber ball invented by P. Bakaleinikov, Mensing and Mizpah cervical caps, and gelatin cylinders. Information for a provider of cervical caps is printed with all substances needed for the care. Chemical and biological methods were used by women themselves and detailed instructions for use were printed. Indications and contraindications are defined for all contraceptives.
The last leaf “Biolactine” contains 11 points about its use. Biolactine became the only biological contraceptive substance and was investigated by Yakov Dubinchik. He published a book on its curative and contraceptive characteristics in 1935. Besides spermicidal quality, it compared favorably against chemical contraceptives like Prekonsol because Biolactine didn’t require douching after its use. After all, glass tubes from Biolactine were able to be reused.
Price: $1,250.00
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