Magnetation Methods of Birth Control

This concise pamphlet surveys the early twentieth‑century landscape of birth‑control advocacy across Europe and the United States. Building on earlier surveys of English, Dutch, and French practices, the author catalogues the influence of Neo‑Malthusian leagues and highlights the limited mechanical options then available, arguing that the simple pessary remains the most practical device. The work then turns to a lesser‑known approach: Magnetation, a theory that separates the social and propagative functions of intercourse.

The Magnetation method traces its origins to the Oneida Community in New York, where a group practiced “male continence” for more than four decades under John Humphrey Noyes. Presented as a spiritually oriented alternative to condoms, diaphragms, or douches, it appeals to couples who seek a more intimate, non‑mechanical experience. The author stresses that success depends on a deep emotional bond, and offers a brief overview of the theory’s principles without prescribing a definitive lifestyle.