Douche with cardboard box
Object No. 2008/126/1
Contraception has been a dilemma for humanity for as long as we have been aware of the biological process of conception. Methods of contraception have ranged from rituals and natural preparations to the quite physically intrusive. In Australia, conservative attitudes towards sexual issues prevailed until the 1960s when sexual health began to become an issue in public forums. However, some families in the 1940s and 50s were facing issues - economic chief among them - that saw them seeking surer alternatives to abstinence, 'safe times', and the withdrawal method. The douche could be used solely as a sanitary device, but often it was used as a contraceptive aid. In this case, the donor has stated that her mother - the owner of the object - used the douche as a family planning device. Preparations could be purchased that contained a spermicide. This was then used in the douche solution and applied to the inside of the vagina before, and/or after sex. Acquiring such an item in the early 1940s would have been an awkward situation, and the box the douche came in suggests that it was procured via mail order - or ordered in-store and then delivered. Damian McDonald Curator March 2008
Loading...
Summary
Object Statement
Douche, with packaging and instructions, rubber / plastic / paper, maker unknown, England / Australia, c. 1942
Physical Description
Douche, with cardboard box, rubber / plastic / paper, maker unknown, England / Australia, c. 1942 A douche, or syringe consisting of a large dark red rubber bulb attached at one end to a semi-rigid black plastic pipe. The pipe has a removable and perforated tip with a black plastic cap. The douche is packaged in a dark red cardboard box with lid. On the top left side of the lid is a label that reads, from 'The Myer Emporium, Melbourne, Door to Door Service'; the date on the label is 2.3.42. On the inside of the lid is a label from Henri Francis and Co Pharmacist, located at the Myer Emporium.
PRODUCTION
Notes
The douche was made in England by an unknown maker in about 1942. It was packaged and sent by Henry Francis & Co. Chemists from the Myer Emporium Ltd.
HISTORY
Notes
The douche was used by the owner - whose daughter donated the object - after she purchased it in 1942. The owner married in 1939 and lived at Benalla, Victoria, and had four daughters between 1940 and 1952. The owner was Presbyterian, and the douche was used for family planning.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Anonymous, 2008
Acquisition Date
18 June 2008
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
Image Licensing Enquiry
Object Enquiry