possible. Assuming the rubber pessary fits properly, as it will if
skilfully selected and applied in the first instance by a competent
medical practitioner, then the seminal fluid must remain in the lower part
of the vaginal passage. An hour or two after intercourse, or next morning,
this seminal fluid can all be washed away by the use of syringe and bidet.
It is far better to sit over the bidet and syringe in that position than
to squat down over a basin--an uncomfortable and unsuitable position for
douching, because the walls of the vagina in that position may be pressed
hard together. The fluid should be retained in the vagina for a minute or
two, by pressing the flange of syringe closely against the orifice of the
vagina. _After syringing, but not before_, the rubber pessary should be
removed (to be washed with soap and water, dried carefully, and put away
till required again), and immediately after removing the rubber pessary it
is a good plan to facilitate the ejection of the surplus fat of the
suppository by urinating and re-syringing. It is quite easy for a woman to
insert and remove these rubber pessaries for herself as occasion requires,
provided that whilst inserting and removing the pessary she has placed her
body in a suitable posture--say, lying on the back with knees drawn up,
sitting on bidet, or standing with one foot on a chair, or whatever other
position she finds suitable. A doctor's help is needed only when first
selecting the right size of pessary. The pessaries are made in ten
different sizes, each size being numbered, and the right size can always
be obtained on order. No harm may come from wearing the pessary for a day
or two, but it is highly desirable as a matter of cleanliness and
otherwise to remove the pessary in the morning when performing the sexual
toilet. The pessary should, of course, never be worn during the menstrual
period. A good rubber pessary should last from three to four months, and
it should be tested occasionally by filling it with water to see that
there is no hole in it. If it has been fitted shortly after a miscarriage
or confinement, refitting is desirable at the end of a few months. But in