Evidence of Recent Connexion

[mariab]

I have not researched Victorian contraception methods but I wonder how prostitutes of that era avoided unwanted pregnancies. I would suggest that they kept vaginal penetration to the minimum.

Not necessarily. Most common contraception method at that time was an inserted sponge. The French used lambskin condoms since at least the 17th century, but don't think Whitechapel prostitutes had access to such or that their clientele would have accepted such.

Could it be that Jack was turned on in the conventional way and then carried out his revolting deeds afterwards?

Hardly enough time for this plus, no trace. (Unless the Victorian doctors left this out of the reports, but then, why the mention of “clean thighs“?)


What's noticeable is that Nichols could not hold on to her money every time she had a “break“ on the evening of her death, while Stride apparently was more effective.

[Tom_Wescott]

Hi Lynn, it's quite possible.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[lynn cates]

Liz

Hello Tom.

"Dr. Llewellyn, I believe it was, was struck by how 'clean' Polly Nichols' thighs were, and I've always taken this (along with her statement of making her doss three times over) to mean that she had been 'busy' earlier in the evening, had cleaned up, and was back out to get her doss. So while she had likely had recent connection, it was prior to her cleaning and going back out. "

That's a sensible conjecture and seems correct. Do you think Liz did the same?

Cheers.
LC

[lynn cates]

factor?

Hello Steven.

"I would suggest that they kept vaginal penetration to the minimum."

I think that is correct. Not sure, however, if that was a factor in the WCM.

Cheers.
LC

[Tom_Wescott]

Hi Steven. Dr. Llewellyn, I believe it was, was struck by how 'clean' Polly Nichols' thighs were, and I've always taken this (along with her statement of making her doss three times over) to mean that she had been 'busy' earlier in the evening, had cleaned up, and was back out to get her doss. So while she had likely had recent connection, it was prior to her cleaning and going back out.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Steven Russell]

As far as I am aware, none of the doctors in any of the cases reported finding evidence of recent sexual activity in any of the WM victims. I would be pleased to be corrected if this is wrong. Presumably we are talking about semen traces here.

Traditionally, this has been interpreted to mean that Jack did not have sex with his victims but achieved "release" through the mutilations (hence the need to find another victim after having been disturbed in Dutfield's Yard).

Now - we know that all of the canonical victims were either habitual or occasional prostitutes and it seems likely that some of them serviced more than one client on the same night that they were killed.

This, to me, throws up several questions:
1) Was it difficult for the doctors of the time to detect semen traces?
2) Did the ladies clean themselves up after each transaction?
3) Did they only offer services which were unlikely to cause semen to be transferred to their bodies?

I have not researched Victorian contraception methods but I wonder how prostitutes of that era avoided unwanted pregnancies. I would suggest that they kept vaginal penetration to the minimum. Could it be that Jack was turned on in the conventional way and then carried out his revolting deeds afterwards?

Best wishes,
Steve.