One or two illustrations which have come to my personal knowledge will
perhaps show the kind of idea which is conveyed to the mind of young
people by books and speeches on this subject, though such results may
not have been desired by the authors or speakers.

A young bride came to her mother on returning from her honeymoon and
said, "Mother, how long must we wait before having children--is it
really necessary to prevent them for a year or two? We are both dying
to have babies."

A young couple on the eve of marriage consulted a gynæcologist
regarding the question of using the cap pessary to prevent the
possibility of having children for a few years.

The bride, who was greatly distressed, produced the pessary which she
had purchased, and said she could not possibly use it; her fiancé,
however, had been advised that she could, and ought to do so, hence
the first serious dispute had arisen between them, clouding the
future.

She was told by her doctor that it was quite impossible for her, and
this fully satisfied the future husband.

The next point was if this method were impossible what should be used.

They were a splendid young couple, with ample means to support a
family, and the doctor naturally asked--"But for what purpose do you
need any methods to prevent children at all?" They hesitated and
looked at each other, and then said--"I don't know, but we thought it
was the thing to do."