SAFE MARRIAGE

Ettie A. Rout

SAFE MARRIAGE

A RETURN TO SANITY

BY

ETTIE A. ROUT

WITH PREFACE BY

SIR WILLIAM ARBUTHNOT LANE, BART., C.B., M.S., (Consulting Surgeon to Guy's Hospital), etc.

LONDON:
WILLIAM HEINEMANN
(Medical Books) Ltd.
1922

The French Government has bestowed the premier decoration for women, The Reconnaissance Française, upon Miss Ettie Rout, of the New Zealand Volunteer Sisters, "for work done during the war (as head of Anzac Soldiers' Club in Paris), and in 1919-1920 as head of American Red Cross Depôt and Canteen at Villers-Bretonneux, where she helped a great many French soldiers, and rendered precious service to the civilian population of the commune." The War Office also conveyed thanks to Miss Rout "for gallant and distinguished services in the field." "I have it in command from the King," wrote the Secretary of State for War, on 1st March, 1919, "to record His Majesty's high appreciation of the services rendered."

PREFACE.

It affords me great pleasure to write a short preface to this book, since it deals with a matter in which I (in common with all those who are intensely interested in the health of our race) am glad to take an active part.

To no woman has it been permitted to do the same amount of good, and to save more misery and suffering, both during and after the war, than to Miss Ettie Rout. Her superhuman energy and indomitable perseverance enabled her to perform, in the most efficient manner possible, a work which few women would care to handle, and of which but an infinitesimally small number are capable. The French Government fully recognised the great services she rendered to the Allies, and did her honour. The book she has written is one of very great value, in that its object is the Health, Happiness, Morality and Well-being of the Community.

Not only has Miss Ettie Rout the qualities that characterise all great humanitarians, but she also possesses, in a unique degree, an intimate knowledge of the terrible troubles that arise from irregular intercourse, and of the manner in which they can be reduced and perhaps eliminated.

In this book she deals with such simple hygienic measures as are little known in England, though they are in common use in France and in the United States, in both of which countries sound practical common sense prevails.

She is persuaded that marriage is the goal to be reached by all, and that everything possible should be done to facilitate it, and so to diminish vice. In her efforts to bring about this happy issue she has the good wishes and congratulations of all who have the health of the community at heart.

W. ARBUTHNOT LANE. 21, Cavendish Square, London, W.1.
       March 25th, 1922.

CONTENTS.

FOREWORD.

This book embodies the considered opinions of twenty-five years' practical experience of adult life—as an official reporter and journalist, as a voluntary war-worker, and as a married woman. For many of the thoughts and expressions used I am indebted to large numbers of men and women whom I cannot name, and with whom I have been personally and professionally associated in different parts of the world. I am also indebted to the following medical journals for the publication, during the last five years, of many letters, articles, notes, etc.: The Lancet, The British Medical Journal, Public Health, Municipal Engineering, Hospital, New York Medical Journal, etc., etc.

I have to thank the Society for the Prevention of Venereal Disease, the National Birth-Rate Commission, and the Joint Select Committee (House of Lords) on Criminal Law Amendment Bills for