In 1564 the “De Morbo Gallico” of Gabriello Fallopio (1523-1563) was published posthumously. Here the Italian anatomist described the linen sheath he claimed to have invented. Made to fit the glans of the penis it was devised essentially as a protective against venereal disease. The foreskin had to be pulled over the device to keen it in place. An alternative usage suggested by Fallopius must have been even more difficult – to insert the sheath in the urethra. He did claim however to have tested the sheath on 1,100 men, with not one of them becoming infected.