niles,
and though no first-hand information on such matters was laid before
the Committee, yet we are of the opinion that the sale of
contraceptives to young persons should be prohibited.

(6) THE CONTROL OF THE ADVERTISEMENT AND SALE OF ABORTIFACIENT DRUGS
AND APPLIANCES.

The Committee recommends the advertising and sale (except by doctor's
prescription) of drugs euphemistically described as for the "correction
of women's ailments" or "correction of irregularities" should be
forbidded. For their alleged purpose of correcting functional menstrual
irregularities they have no value; as abortifacients though usually
ineffective their unrestricted sale should be forbidden. As stated
previously, "their only value is as a lucrative source of gain to those
people who, knowing their inefficiency, yet exploit the distress of
certain women by selling them." An example of this exploitation was
obtained by the Committee. The drugs were advertised as "corrective
pills, ordinary strength, 7s. 6d.; extra strong, 12s. 6d.; special
strength, 20s." A supply of the last was obtained, and analysis showed
that they consisted of (1) a capsule containing about 12 drops of oil
of savin, value about 6d., dangerous to health but usually useless for
the purpose sold; (2) 9 tablets of quinine, worth about 4s., and quite
ineffective; (3) 24 iron and aloes pills, worth about 6d., and equally
ineffective. The gross profit on this 2s. worth of rubbish was at least
900 per cent. If it is possible to legislate to stop such fraudulent
exploitation of people we recommend that it be done.

The Committee also recommends that the sale of surgical instruments
which can be used for the purpose of procuring abortions, such as
catheters, Bougies, and sea-tangle tents, be prohibited, except on the
prescription of a medical practitioner, and that if possible their
importation be placed under control.

PART IV.--QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF ABORTION.

At the present time there is in many countries much criticism of the
existing laws regarding abortion, and various suggestions have been
made for the alteration of the law.

Such representations have, indeed, been made to this Committee.

A consideration of these matters, therefore, could not escape our
attention.

THE NEW ZEALAND LAW REGARDING ABORTION.

The law in regard to abortion as set down in sections 221, 222, and 223
of the Crimes Act, 1908, is as follows:--