I was at a rummage sale yesterday and found an early 1970s edition of this book, which I also discovered is a classic in its field and yet I had never heard of it (and this is an interest of mine). It’s very Mexico-centric but the information could apply to anywhere, including the U.S. if there was a local or bigger breakdown of the social order; it’s also obvious that this book was published prior to the discovery of AIDS, because they recommend
washing and reusing condoms
:eek: :eek: :eek:
I guess you do what you have to if there’s no alternative. I’ve never even heard of people doing that in other crisis situations, like WW II; has anyone else?
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Here’s a link to the book, “Where There Is No Doctor”.
The author, who is still living, was fired from his own company in the early 1990s after credible allegations, which he did not deny, that he had messed around with teenage boys he was looking after. :mad:
The U.K. had a series of public information films in the early 90s about AIDS. One of them had an old man talking about his reusable condom that he called Geronimo. It was the best he could get when he was young so people shouldn’t complain about latex ones.
This book was from the 70s? Maybe it was the 1870s because in the 1970s you could buy boxes of disposable condoms (Trojans or whatever) that were pretty much indistinguishable from what you can get today. Maybe it was different in Mexico but I doubt it.
When I saw this I turned over my shoulder and looked at the author of the aging paperback on my bookshelf: “Onde Não Há Médico, 8a Edição” and realized that it is indeed the same book.
I had always figured it was written by some Brazilian, or American doctor living in Brazil, about how to stay alive in the Amazon rain forest. The cover illustration is fitting. I have never actually read it–my wife brought it here from Brazil. There are lots of illustrations, and the book does make an effort to provide useful information for a person who is far from medical help for a long time.
For the record, on page 293 the book says “Essas camisinhas têm um preço variável: umas são mais baratas que outras. Muitos, para economizar, usam o preservativo várias vezes, lavando-o depois de cada uso. Essa prática pode dar ocasião a uma gravidez inesperada por falta de atenção e cuidado: o preservativo pode estar furado sem que-se perceba.”
Roughly: “The price of condoms varies: some are cheaper than others. Many people, to save money, use one condom multiple times, washing it out after each use. This practice can result in an unexpected pregnancy as a result of lack of attention and care: the condom could be punctured without being noticeable.”
In other words, the book is telling that in certain regions you may encounter people who do this, and the book is warning that it is not an advisable practice.
Elderly Scots soldier walks into a chemist and produces an old, worn, well-used ripped condom. He asks:
“How much to repair this?”
The chemist peers at it in distaste and explains that condoms are usually a one-use device and repairs are pretty much impossible. Could be done, but impractical.
The soldier says ‘Hmmph’ and walks out.
Next day, the Soldier returns to the chemist, marches up to the counter and announces:
