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Inevitably, painted ladies had
children, though attempts were made at birth control which was
very primitive at the time. By the 1840s women could
purchase Portuguese Female Pills (an abortion pill) or Madame Restell's Preventive Powders, but it is unclear how effective
these were. The French had already invented the condom,
fashioned of rubber or skin, as they are today. In places
like New Orleans or St. Louis, where there was a large French
population, condoms were readily available. However, much
like today, many men were reluctant to use them. After 1860
diaphragms were available, as well as douches compounded from such
ingredients as alum, pearlash, red rose leaves, carbolic acid,
bicarbonate of soda, sulphate of zinc, vinegar, or plain water.
Others simply relied on the rhythm method.
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But the most common form of birth control
was abortion, which had also spread as a form of birth control to even
the “respectable women.” In the years between 1850 and 1870 one
historian estimated that one abortion was performed for every five to
six live births in America.
If they were lucky, a
courtesan would marry well and retire with enough money for a
comfortable and respectable lifestyle. Those who married would
normally become instantly “respectable” as it was considered impolite
in the
Old West to ask of a
person’s background and most people were too busy to care. Others used their profits to open their own sporting houses, became
saloon
operators, or practiced as abortionists. Inevitably though, some often turned to alcohol or narcotics – dosing
their drinks with laudanum or smoking opium. Suicides were frequent in
the profession.
Women on the line were often in peril of
picking up tuberculosis, called consumption, at the time, or sexually
transmitted diseases, chiefly syphilis. Others died as a result of
botched abortions, sometimes self-inflicted. Violence also claimed its
share in brawls between prostitutes, customers and sometimes,
husbands.
©Kathy
Weiser/Legends of
America, updated March,
2008.
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