HMED 3055

1) Examine a minimum of 3 contraceptive artifacts and, for each of those chosen artifacts, at least 1 of the accompanying text-based sources.

2) Scan each to get an impression of either its textural and material aspects (artifacts) or, for the text, read the main points; paying attention to the table of contents, tables, illustrations and / or layout. It is not necessary to read the entire item.

3) As you examine each artifact and the accompanying text(s), write two paragraphs that address your response to these three questions:

• In our lecture and reading for today, we learned about the history of contraception from the mid-19th through the early 20th centuries, including changes in the legal status of, medical practice related to, and social and political attitudes towards contraception. What role did these contraceptive technologies (and related material) play in shaping women’s experiences of contraception during this time period?
• We know from today’s reading by Andrea Tone that women (and men) eagerly sought safe and effective contraception. In what ways might these have contraceptive technologies shaped women’s perceptions about the safety and effectiveness of contraception?
• What surprises you about these artifacts and primary source documents?

4) At the end of your paragraphs, include 1 question that you want to pose to the rest of your discussion group

5) Use this link to access the discussion form where you should post your paragraphs:  https://canvas.umn.edu/courses/163710/discussion_topics/636774 

6) After posting your paragraphs, reply to 2 other students with a response to the questions they pose in their paragraphs

Pessaries come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have been (and continue to be) used for a variety of purposes. To see how they fit into the vagina and support tissue, see  this page  from the Mayo Clinic. They can also be used to deliver medicines or in conjunction with spermicide as birth control.

Primary source: Powers & Anderson.  Illustrated Catalogue of Standard Surgical Instruments and of Allied Lines . Richmond, Va.: Company, 1917. W26 P8875i 1917 p.486

Contraceptive sponges are inserted into the vagina with spermicide to cover the cervix and prevent pregnancy. The Wangensteen's sanitary netted sponge is made of a natural sea sponge, like  this example from the Science Museum in London .

Primary Source 2: Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  Birth Control Services in Tax-supported Hospitals, Health Departments and Welfare Agencies . New York], 1963. WP630 P712b 1963 p.5

Spermicide is a substance that is inserted into the vagina in order to kill sperm and prevent pregnancy. They are, and have been, often combined with other contraceptives, like sponges and diaphragms.

Primary Source: Birth Control Federation of America.  Human Fertility ., 1935. Periodical v.5-7 (1940-42) p.39-

The lid of this box includes directions for use: "Fill glass tube up to the bend with powder by pressing tube into powder. Insert into vagina as far as possible. Draw back about one inch and give bulb a quick squeeze. This sprays powder into all folds of vagina and mouth of cervix. Tip of tube must be free. Do not force against wall of vagina. Keep powder dry and jar closed at all times. Have tube perfectly dry before filling. Leucorrhoea should be treated by using powder each night before retiring and taking a quart douche of warm water the following morning. For prevention of infection use immediately before, or up to four hours before exposure. Take douche following morning."

These look like large pills and are inserted in the vagina in order to deliver medication locally. They were used to prevent pregnancy, and treat inflammation and yeast infections.

Primary Source 1: Robinson, William J.  Practical Prevenception; Or, The Technique of Birth Control.  5th ed. New York: Eugenics Pub., 1933. WP630 R666p 1933 p.90-95

Primary Source 2: Sanger, Margaret.  Family Limitations . Rev., 6th ed. Place of Publication Not Identified]: [publisher Not Identified], 1917. WP630 S225f 1917

Primary Source 3: Stopes, Marie Carmichael.  Contraception (birth Control) Its Theory, History and Practice : A Manual for the Medical and Legal Professions . 8th Ed. With an Introduction by the Late Sir William Bayliss and Introductory Notes by Sir James Barr, C. Rolleston, and Jane Hawthorne.. ed. London: Putnam, 1952. WP630 S883c 1952 p. 128-145

Anatomical models are used to teach health professional students and patients alike about female anatomy.

Primary Source: Dickinson, Robert Latou.  Control of Conception . 2d ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins Company, 1938. WP630 D553c 1938 p.152

The diaphragm is a barrier that covers the cervix, stopping sperm from joining an egg. In order for a diaphragm to work best, it must be used with  spermicide  (a substance, often a cream or gel, that kills sperm).

Primary Source: Dickinson, Robert Latou, Woodbridge Edwards Morris, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  Techniques of Conception Control.  2d ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1942. WP630 D553t 1942 p. 11-14

This Story Map was created in March 2020 in order to deliver digital content to HMED 3055 at the University of Minnesota during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Because in-person class meetings were cancelled, we quickly photographed, videotaped, and scanned a variety of resources that would have been used during a class visit to the Wangensteen.

We chose to use Story Maps because of its ability to function on laptops and mobile devices. We created Gifs from short videos shot on an iPhone using  www.ezgif.com . Photography was done using an iPhone and a  Foldio .

Course Information:

• HMED 3055. Women, Health, and History
• Instructor: Dominique Tobbell, Ph.D. Program in the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
• Enrollment: 44 undergraduate students