We now come to the consideration of the subject of Contraception, pure and simple, the methods of which contemplate the manifestation of the usual physical sexual relations between husband and wife, accompanied by an avoidance of the union of the male and female elements of reproduction which result in conception. It should once more be positively emphasized that BY CONTRACEPTION IS NOT MEANT ABORTION. ABORTION means "the premature expulsion of the human embryo or foetus; miscarriage." CONTRACEPTION, on the other hand, means simply the prevention of the union of the male and female elements of reproduction, and consequently, the preventing of the process which evolves the foetus or embryo. CONTRACEPTION IS PREVENTION; ABORTION IS DESTRUCTION. There is here a difference as wide as the poles. As Dr. William J. Robinson says, in a paragraph previously quoted in this book: "In inducing abortion, one destroys something already formed--a foetus, or an embryo, a fertilized ovum, a potential human being. In prevention, however, one merely prevents chemically or mechanically the spermatozoa from coming in contact with the ovum. There is no greater sin or crime in this than there is in simple abstinence, in refraining from sexual intercourse." Unfortunately for the cause of scientific Birth Control in America, the laws of the United States (and of most of the separate States) at present prevent the public dissemination by written or printed words, or by public teaching of information concerning the contraceptive methods known to all intelligent physicians and others who have made a scientific study of the subject. The conveyal of such information, in the manner stated, is made a criminal offence, subject to heavy fines and imprisonment. Though there is a strong movement underway on the part of many intelligent and earnest citizens of this country, having for its object the repeal of such prohibitive laws, and the passage of careful legislation designed to give the dissemination of such instruction a legal and certain status, under the restrictions imposed by common sense, intellectual honesty, and the best interests of the race--to place it upon the same footing as in certain advanced European countries--the fact remains that at the present time no person may give such information without subjecting himself to indictment and probable conviction as a law-breaker and enemy of society. UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, OF COURSE, THERE HAS BEEN, AND WILL BE, NO ATTEMPTS TO FURNISH SUCH FORBIDDEN INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK. So long as these laws stand unrepealed on the statute books, they must be observed by all law abiding citizens.