|
|
 |
|
History
|
|
|
|
History
How it all began - The story of the condom
In this day and age there are several hundred different sorts of condoms available all over the entire globe. Since beginning the 80ies at the latest, with the emergence of the immune deficiency AIDS becoming publicly known in the USA, the term condom is a household word (word in every mouth). The origin of the term condom being the oldest preventive in the world, still nevertheless raises questions. With the discovery of America through Christopher Columbus at the end of the 15th century, the expansion of Europe and a new era began. What had come about? In the year 1493 Columbus and his crew return from the West Indies to Barcelona where he was accordingly celebrated as the great discoverer. What he carried on board his ships attained from the new world apart from stories, gold and jewellery, only later becomes apparent. Soon after his arrival a sinister rumour was making the rounds (circulating) : A mysterious illness had supposedly broken out, which was spread primarily by sailors and soldiers. Within the shortest space of time Syphilis, cynical described as "present of the new world" or " natives' retaliation" spread throughout Europe and India to China. The epidemic spread rampantly and made exceptions of no one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
One of the first persons, who concerned himself with suitable measures of protection against this illness, was the Italian doctor and anatomist Gabriele Fallopio. In 1564 he recommended in his work "De morbe gallico", that a linen sack impregnated with medicament and inorganic salts should be worn during sexual intercourse. This was supposed to protect against venereal diseases. Whether this linen sack soaked with the different liquids really protected against infections, is however unclear. Nevertheless, this initially developed protective penis cover gave the starting shot for further development of the urgently needed protective covering. Not only is the origin of the condom a puzzle but also its correct form of spelling Is condom written (with k) or (with c)? From where does this word originate? On the one hand, there is the derivation from the Latin word condus (receptacle) i.e. its declension in the accusative (condum). On the other hand, an English doctor by the name of Dr. Condom (or Condon, Contom, etc.) is supposed to be the namesake from whom the condom derived its name. He was employed in the service of British king Carl II (1630 - 1685) as a medical doctor and he is supposed to have converted goat intestines into prevention caps. Since the number of successors of this pleasure addicted Lord was slowly becoming an embarrassment for him, the doctor made it possible for his royal employer to accordingly acquire a well-ordered family life With time was the liquid impregnated linen sack for special purposes and people was succeeded by a product made of latex for the availability of every man i.e. every woman. Thus in the meantime, there are the condoms as alternative to others form of prevention in various sorts. These range from various fragrances, colours, napped, grooved with or without coating, as a product from sheep intestine, latex or polyurethane. Namely available in almost all countries in the world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
