Shaping of the doctrine, 50-450. Contraception in the Roman Empire -- The scriptural structure and external sources of doctrine -- Gnostics, pagans, and the Alexandrian rule -- The morals of the Manichees, and St. Augustine -- The condemnation ingrained, 450-1450. The lessons of the monks -- The canonists, the Cathars, and St. Augustine -- Contraceptive techniques : means and dissemination in the High Middle Ages -- The rationale of the prohibition -- Sanctions -- Counter approaches.
Innovation and preservation, 1450-1750. New attitudes and analyses -- The rule preserved -- Development and controversy, 1750-1964. The spread of birth control : the responses of the Bishops and the Pope -- Permitted and disputed means of controlling contraception -- The doctrine and the context.