When he asked her concerning these, she reluctantly told him that she had been compelled by her husband to wear a lock in this region.

Her mother, prior to their marriage, sent her over to the care of her future husband (he having left Germany some months before).

On her arrival he perforated the labia minora, causing her to be ill several weeks; after she had sufficiently recovered he put on a padlock, and for many years he had practiced the habit of locking her up after each intercourse.

Strange to relate, no physician, except Collier, had ever inquired about the openings.

In this connection the celebrated Harvey mentions a mare with infibulated genitals, but these did not prevent successful labor.
Occasionally infibulation has been used as a means of preventing masturbation.