viral activity and infectivity and inactivate virus in the latter applications however gels creams or suppositories are more conveniently used in one convenient embodiment the method of the invention comprises a composition consisting essentially of one or more aliphatic alcohols having from 20 to 26 carbons in the aliphatic chain of such alcohol s into the vagina where it will inhibit the activity of the sperm and interfere with fusion of the sperm cell with the female egg cell the alcohol composition of interest may of course be used in connection with a diaphragm or other contraceptive device if desired as indicated above the alcohols of interest here will serve as contraceptive compositions the mode of action has not been fully explored but it is believed that these alcohols reduce the activity and viability of sperm and inhibit or prevent the sperm from attaching to and penetrating the egg thus preventing fertilization likewise the alcohol containing composition may be introduced through the anus where it also inactivates virus inhibits the passage of virus into the membrane and passes through the membrane into the circulatory system of the patient where it acts as an inhibitor of viral activity and infectivity and inactivates virus in the circulatory system and cells nourished by the circulatory system the specified alcohol s may be in any physiological acceptable form such as in cream or suppository compositions an exemplary suppository may consist essentially of a composition consisting essentially of one or more aliphatic alcohols having from 20 to 26 carbons in the aliphatic chain of such alcohol s alone or.