Inferior Help for Poor Women

The Dutch Neo-Malthusian League propagated contraception. Given the shortage of doctors willing to work for the NMB, the League decided to employ unqualified women to insert a diaphragm in clients who were unable to pay a doctor's consultation. During a tumultuous debate on this issue on 27 January 1901, dr Aletta Jacobs pointed out: " The impact of a uterine infection owing to a diaphragm being wrongly inserted is much more severe in the case of poor women, who have to move about and stand up more than well-to-do women."

One of those present at the meeting then accused the Board of the NMB of being content with inferior health care for the poor.