The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE INFORMANT SHARED A ROOM WITH MY BROTHER N A
HOSPITAL. MY BROTHER A RATHER POPULAR FIGURE IN
PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS DREW MANY PEOPLE TO HIS ROOM
DURING MY FOUR-HOUR VISIT. THE INFORMANT HEARD STORIES
FOR THREE HOURS BEFORE HE, QUITE UNEXPECTEDLY,
VOLUNTEERED A CONTRIBUTION.
HE SAID THAT WHEN HE WAS A NEWLYWED, WHICH MUST HAVE
BEEN THIRTY YEARS EARLIER, THE COUPLES USED TO COMPARE
INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY PERTAINING TO SEX, CONTRACEPTIVES
AND CHILDREN. ONE METHOD OF ARTIFICIAL CONTRACEPTION
WAS FOR THE WOMAN TO STUFF A VINEGAR-SOAKED RAG IN HER
VAGINA IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AND AFTER INTERCOURSE.
HE WAS SO EMBARRASSED BY THIS REVELATION, WHICH MUST HAVE
TAKEN A GREAT DEAL OF COURAGE, THAT HE NEVER SPOKE AGAIN
UNTIL I WAS READY TO LEAVE. THE SEVERAL OCCUPANTS OF
THE ROOM, PRIMED BY SEVERAL SIX-PACKS SMUGGLED INTO THE
HOSPITAL, SUPPORTED HIM AND CHEERED HIM FOR HIS AMAZING
REVELATION WHICH NO ONE HAD EVER HEARD OF BEFORE. PER-
HAPS THIS RECOGNITION "TURNED HIM OFF."
HE WAS A FARMER FROM PETOSKY, WHO HAD SERIOUS SURGERY ON
HIS SPINAL COLUMN. HIS NECK WAS IN TRACTION, BUT I COULD
SENSE THAT HE WANTED TO SAY MORE AND INTERRUPT ON OCCASIONS
BUT PERHAPS IT WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO SPEAK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Date learned: 02-24-1967