ABSTRACT
Condoms are a commonsense method of contraception
with a long history. The 15th century anatomist Gabriel
Fallopius, who first described the uterine tubes which still
carry his name, described the use of chemically impreg-
nated silk sheaths. His work involved one of the first clini-
cal trials in the history of medicine and, interestingly, he
described use of the device after coitus. The word condom is
sometimes ascribed to Dr Condom of the Court of Charles
II, who was so worried about the number of illegitimate
children fathered by the King that he invented the device.
