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From: werner@aecom.UUCP (Craig Werner)
Newsgroups: net.med,net.women
Subject: Coke isn't it (for contraception)
Message-ID: <2110@aecom.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 4-Dec-85 00:19:34 EST
Article-I.D.: aecom.2110
Posted: Wed Dec  4 00:19:34 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Dec-85 19:43:25 EST
Distribution: na
Organization: Albert Einstein Coll. of Med., NY
Lines: 32
Xref: linus net.med:2730 net.women:7753


	Based on the anecdotal accounts of the use of a coca-cola douche as
a form of contraception in the third world, and the recent New Coke/Classic 
Coke debate, 3 doctors at Harvard Medical School published a letter in the
New England Journal of Medicine comparing the Spermicidal effects of
New Coke and Classic.  Their result was that Classic Coke was 5 times more
effective at killing sperm in-vivo than its new emasculated formula, suggested
not pH but rather some factor in the "secret formula" was responsible.
	The conclusion of the study was, at least in this area, "'Classic' 
Coke Is It."
	It was written as a scientific account, but it was a joke -- since
sperm in found in the oviducts within minutes and hence douching is an
innefective form of contraception.


	However, this article was picked up in the popular press, which lost
its subtle wit in the translation, and now many people fear women might try
it.   Spread the word:  it's a bad idea -- douching doesn't work for one, and
two, even Coke Classic leaves about 8% of the sperm alive after the first 
minute.  Lastly, there is a small chance of the CO2 carbonation forming gas
bubbles in the blood - with serious consequences. So, restrict Coca-Cola to
your mouth.

Source: 
Umpierre, Hill, and Anderson
Effect of "Coke" on Sperm Motility
NEJM 313:1351
-- 

				Craig Werner
				!philabs!aecom!werner
      "... Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous To Your Health"