But in history, no matter in which dynasty, ancient men were interested in prostitutes in brothels. However, doing such a nasty thing can't avoid pregnancy. So how did prostitutes take contraceptive measures before the emergence of modern contraceptives? Next, Bian Xiao will take you to solve your doubts.
In ancient times, only prostitutes sold themselves, geisha, maiko and other prostitutes generally did not sell themselves, so they were called idle people. Of course, both of them are sold, both of which are called red trusteeship. Most brothels are prostitutes who sell themselves instead of prostitution, but there are also prostitutes, but the number is small and the grade is relatively high. The reception was full of dignitaries and romantic talents. Li Bai, a great poet, wrote the fifth line in the palace: "The green tree listens to birds, and the brothel watches dancers." Brothels that are purely engaged in the flesh business are called "kilns", which are of a lower grade, such as the eight hutongs in Beijing in the late Qing Dynasty.
Speaking of ancient contraceptive measures, there are quite a few, but they are nothing more than the following four categories. First, diet therapy. In the past, many prostitutes were infertile for life after rehabilitation, that is, they drank a soup that destroyed fertility for a long time, so that they were sterilized. It is said that they ate a contraceptive called "cold medicine", which also contains musk, which will affect fertility, but not necessarily sterilization. Peng Daxiang's paintings and calligraphy also contain silver for contraception and drinking water. Although mercury is highly toxic, ancient people thought that drinking silver could prevent pregnancy. In the past, prostitutes often used this method for contraception.
Second, musk contraception. In the modern costume drama, the queen is pregnant with the dragon species and fights in the harem. She is most afraid that someone will frame her with musk and cause miscarriage. Putting musk in the navel was also a good contraceptive measure in ancient times. Zhao Yanfei of the Han Dynasty also used this method because she didn't want to get pregnant.
Third, saffron washes the lower body. But this method is a bit inhuman. According to legend, saffron is a secret recipe of the court, which is used to clean the reproductive parts. If the emperor prefers the concubine but doesn't want her to get pregnant, he will send eunuchs to perform the task of abortion with saffron. Over time, this contraceptive method spread from the court to the people, and prostitutes also used this contraceptive method. However, without 100% effective contraceptive measures, Wei Xiaobao is the product of contraceptive failure.
Fourth, ancient condoms: pig bladder, swim bladder, sheep intestine. Although it is an ancient condom, look at the raw materials used to know how disgusting it is. Modern condom technology was formally researched and used in16th century, but similar inventions existed in ancient China. For contraception, people cut the casings of animals, then cleaned them and dried them, which became "ancient condoms". Although this effect may be better and it is not harmful to women's health, it is always a bit disgusting to use animal casings as raw materials. In the museum's collection, there are condoms made of sheep intestines by the ancients, and some are close to the embryonic form of modern condoms. Finally, the method of using animal casings, after changing the materials, has been used to this day.