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, certain health care product providers produced booklets aimed at educating the public on birth control options. S.H Henshall Chemist of South Melbourne saw the need for a discrete and accessible publication outlining the birth control products that were available to purchase in the early to mid twentieth century in Australia - in particular, in Melbourne at his chemist shop. It provided the reader with the options of birth control available, and a description of the method of use and reliability, and also discussed methods of contraception without the use of contraceptive devices and the risks of conception.

As obtaining a publication such as this would have been awkward, the booklet is of a discrete, pocket size.

Damian McDonald
March 2008

The booklet was printed by W.A Wright and Son Printers Pty Ltd of South Melbourne for S H Henshall Chemist of 242 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, Australia.

S H Henshall Chemist was originally established in 1854, and the business still trades under the same name at 257 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, across the street from where the shop was trading at the time this booklet was published at 242 Clarendon Street.

This publication was kept with a douche and contraceptive pills purchased in 1942. The booklet likely predates this. It was acquired by the owner in order to educate themselves on the types of contraceptive options available to them. The owner was Presbyterian, and used items advertised in this booklet for family planning.

Booklet, 'Contraception, and List of Birth Control Goods', paper / metal, published by S H Henshall, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, c. 1942, printed by W A Wright and Son Printers Pty Ltd, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, c. 1942

A pocket-sized, nine page booklet printed with black ink on white paper. Four paragraphs have had paper glued over the top, presumably because the chemist did not stock the item described in the particular paragraphs. Three of the prices on items have been amended in handwriting. In the upper left corner of the cover is the printed text 'For Adult Private Circulation Only'.

Made: Melbourne, Victoria; 1937 - 1947

Handwritten prices on items in booklet.

2008/126/2

1937 - 1947

134 mm

105 mm

3 mm