Fruits of Philosophy

cts and discoveries of every art and science, excepting such only as may be secured to some particular person or persons by copyright or patent; th

one person should be deprived of knowledge, of spirits, of razors, or of anything els

place; yet they must and ought to be attended to, for the good, the happiness of mankind require it; so, too, for like reason, the subject of generation ought to be investigated until it be rightly understood by all people, but at such opportunities as the good sense of every individual will easily decide to be proper. This, I presume to say, not simply upon the abstra

uld not have due confidence in it. Hence, it is necessary to correct a long-held and widely extended error. But this I cannot expect to do by simply saying it is an error. Deeply rooted and hitherto undisputed opinions are not so easily eradicated. If I would convince any one that the steps in one of the most recondite p

nction have been defined, that is, before the organs themselves have been described. Now it is well known to every anatomist, and indeed it may be obvious to all, that in describing any organ or system

anism, which appear

fers to the cases us

e sparing in his us

. Chavasse.-Pu

philosophical sense of the term; nay, farther, it shall with the exception of here and there a little spicing*, have confined to practical utility. I shall, therefore, endeaver to treat of the subject in this chapter so as to be understood, without giving any description of the male organs of generation; though I hold it an accomplishment for one be able to speak o

considerable prominence in females, which, at the age of puberty, is

ure, formed by the junction of these lips, a little round oblong body is situated. The body is called the clitoris. Most of its length is bound down, as it were, pretty closely to the bone; and it is of very variable size in different females. Instances have occurred where it was so enlarged as to allow the female to have venereal commerce with others; and in Paris this fact was once made a public exhibition to the medical faculty. Women thu

nymphse. They extend downward, one on each side, from the clitoris to near the middle of the external orifice, somewhat diverging from each other. Their use is not very evident

ts center, or frequently in its anterior edge, giving the membrane the form of a crescent Through this aperture passes the menstrual fluid. Sometimes, however, this septum is complete, and the menstrual fluid is retained month after month, until appearances and symptoms much like those of pregnancy are produced, giving rise to perhaps unjust suspicions. Such cases require the simple operation of dividing the hymen. In many instances the hymen is very imperfect, insomuch that some have doubted wheth

ist in the female of the Vagina, the U

the rectum, which lies behind it. The coat of membrane which lines the internal surface of the vagina forms a number of transverse ridges. These are to be found only in the lower or anterior half of the vagina, and they do not extend all ro

r extremity of the vagina. It extends down into the vagina the better part of an inch. In the uterus is a cavity which approaches the triangular form, and from which a canal passes down through the neck of the uterus into the vagina. This cavity is so small that its sides are almost in contact So that the uterus is a thick, firm organ for so small a one. Comparing the cavity of the uterus to a triangle, we say the upper side or line of this triangle is transverse with respect to the body, and the other two lines pass downward and inward, so that they would form an angle below, did they not before they meet take a turn more directly downwa

wo portions, which are called the lips of the uterus. The anterior is thicker than the posterior. The orifice itself is called os tinc? or os uteri, or in English, the mouth of the womb. When the parts are in

diameter of the ovarium is about an inch. Each ovarium has a firm coat of membrane. In those who have not been pregnant, it contains from ten to twenty vesicles, which are little round bodies, formed of a delicate membrane,

e mentioned are th

, each of which cont

egg. In the human

as only to be visib

vesicles are not

s formerly thought,

es, and to discharg

hole of the frui

are sometimes found where conception has not been known to take place. The Fallopian Tubes are two canals four or five inches in length, proceeding from the upper angles of the cavity of the uterus, in a transverse direction in respect to the body. Having so proceeded for some dista

knowledge of many things concerning menstruation may contribute much to the well-being of females, for

rmed the menses. To have it is to menstruate. The age at which menstruation commences varies with different individuals, and also in different climates. The warmer the cl

ibuted to the inner coat of uterus, select as it were, from the blood, and pour out in a gradual manner the materials of this fluid. It has one

on p. 94 of his

Smith & Son gives

and consequent fe

o

ischarge," says Dr.

the inner surface

om the uterus, vagi

ative apparatus. B

strual blood coagu

and the frequent ac

urther to diminish

ology, 8th ed., p

becomes a disease, and the woman is not likely to conceive until it is cured. During the existence of the "turns," or "monthlies," as they are often called, indigestible food, dancing in warm rooms, sudden exposure to cold or wet, and mental agitations, should be avoided as much as possible. The "turns" do not continue during pregna

ole of this Dr. Cha

etails are given.

without having had any turn since their last lying-in. It is believed that in these oases they had some discharge, colorless, perhaps, which they did not notice, but which answered the purposes of the common one. Women are not nearly so likely to conceive during the week before a monthly as during the week immediately after.* But al

Bull's "Hints to M

lished by Longma

shers

ists in exciting the organism of the female, and depositing the semen in the vagin

to every one-it is a thickish, nearly opaque fluid, of a peculiar odor, saltish taste, etc. As to its chemical properties, it is found by analysis to consist of 900 pa

hey appear to avoid the light and to delight in the shade. Leeuwenhoek, if not the discoverer of the seminal animalculse, was the first who brought the fact of their existence fully before the public. With respect

s "Animal Physiology

chol's "Human Phys

rubner & Co.)-P

that these animalcul? are in some way or other instrumental to the production of the foetus." The secretion of the semen commences at the age of puberty. Before this period the testicles secrete a viscid, transparent fluid, which has never been analyzed, but which is doubtless essentially different from semen. The revolution which the whole economy undergoes at this period, such as the tone of the voice, and development of hairs, the beard, the increase of the

man Physiology

isher

Physiology.-

tus; in furnishing a suitable situation in which the foetus may be developed; in affording due nourishment for its growth; in bringing it forth, and afterward furnishing it with food especially adapted to the digestive organs of the young animal. Some part

ymph?, etc. This is proved by the fact that several cases of pregnancy have occurred when the hymen was entire. The fact need not surprise us, for, agreeable to the the

conceive at all seasons of the year. Second, a woman rarely, if ever, conceives until after having several sexual connections; nor does one connection in fifty cause conception in the matrimonial sta

larged that it bursts forth from the ovary and takes the name of ovum, which is taken up, or rather received, as it bursts forth, by the fimbr

n's work was writte

scovered that ov

ovaries in the hum

sequence of fruitfu

was formerly bel

ercourse with the ma

e lower animals at

during menstruatio

vesicle becomes e

it contains escape

passes to the uteru

irke, "that in the

ion of ova from the

regnation by the mal

w established that

independently of

s at which the matur

received into the F

the phenomena of heat or rut; in

l desire manifests

r degree at these

s animals at no othe

lace, the ovum may b

perishes. From what

luded that the tw

analogous, and t

oth is the maturat

of Physiology,

ome that entirely forbid it. In the first place, there are several well attested instances in which impregnation took place while the hymen remained entire, where the vagina terminated in the rectum, where it was so contracted by a cicatrix as not to admit the penis. In all these cases the semen could not have been lodged anywhere near the mouth of the uterus, much less ejected into it. Secondly, it has followed a connection where from some defect in the male organs, as the urethra terminating some inches behind the end of the penis, and it is clear that the semen cou

l aperture in the neck of the uterus impossible, even by a power of force much superio

oition for the express purpose of discovering the semen, but were never abl

on Superfoetatio

ysiologists that the semen is absorbed from the vagina into the great circulating system, where it is mixed, of course, with the blood

onable, inasmuch as we can scarcely believe that the semen can go the whole round of circulation, and then find its way

essential to the development of an ovum. Others, again, have told us that it is all done by sympathy. That neither the semen nor any volatile part of it finds its way to the ovary; but that the semen excite

nt for the effect of impregnation; and, further, they "make no provision for the formation of mules; for the peculiarities of, and li

ts favor. It is this, that there is a set of absorbent vessels, leading directly from the inner surface of the labia externa and the vagina, to the ovaries, the whole office of which vessels is to absorb the semen and convey it to the ovaries.* I do not know that these vessels

held at the prese

ow is that the semi

ring the intercour

llopian tubes to th

lace at some point

tubes, but also at

rhaps, in the uteru

dation that the spe

t with the ovum. "

rd the ovarium, and

tirely quits the ov

. Carpenter, "appea

he Mammalia; and th

th vigorous and long

o great an extent

t is remembered t

irection of the cil

d to the downward p

. * * * There can b

spermatozoa with

r as the immediate

ct of fecundation e

n Physiology," 8th e

ating to generation is from which parent ar

e obvious method of explaining the necessity for the cooperation of the two sexes, and the resemblance in external form, and even in mind and character, which the offspring often bears to the male parent. "The principal objections," says Bostock, "to his hypothesis, independent of the want of any direct proof of

oes not.* I rather regard it as the result of exalted excitation, analogous to the increased secretion of other organs from increased stimulation; and if it may be for any object or use, as it probably is, it is that of affording nature a means of relieving herself; or, in other words, of quieting the venereal passion. If this passion, being once roused, could not by some means or other be calmed, it would command by far too great a portion of our thoughts, and with

his secretion in t

character, Dr. Carp

ale semen has been s

egnation; but no pro

ch admixture is n

gy," p.

on this account that we ascribe to organic bodies certain properties, which we call physiological properties, such as contractility, sensibility, life, etc. When, from any cause, these bodies have undergone such a change that they no longer exhibit the phenomena peculiar to them, they are said to have lost these properties, and to be dead. A substance need not possess all the physiological properties of an animal of the higher orders to entitle it to the name of an organized or living substance, nor need it possess the physical property of solidity. The blood, as well as many of the secretions, does several things, exhibits several phenomena, which no mechanical or mere chemical combinations of matter do exhibit. We must therefore ascribe to it certain physiological properties, and regard it as an organized, a living fluid, as was contended by the celebrated

are some minute steps in the processes which are not fully known to us; still, if they ever should be known, we should unquestionably see that there is a natural cause for every one of them; and that they are all consonant with certain

I shall not be at the labor of bringing them forward and showing their futility as objections to this theory, for I am far from insisting on the correctness of

as the proper rudiments of the foetus, and thought that the office of the female is to afford them a suitable receptacle where they may be supported and nourished

cul? should be the rudiments of being so totally dissimilar to them." But I wish to know if there is more difference between a foetus

s is properly the production of the female; that it exists previous to the sexual congress, with all its organs, in some parts of the uterine system; and t

in another, like a nest of boxes, and all within her ovaries, equal to all the number of births that have ever been, or ever will be, not to reckon abortions. Were I to bring forward all the facts and arguments that have been advanced in support of this idea, it seems to me I should fail to convince sound minds of its correctness;

nd be duly affected by it.* It is here surrounded by the albuminous fluid which the vesicle contains. This fluid being somewhat changed in its qualities by its new-comer, stimulates the minute vessels of the parts which surround it, and thus causes more of this fluid to be formed; and while it affords the animalcule material for its development, it puts the delicate membrane of the ovary which retains it in its place upon the stretch, and finally bursts forth surrounded probably by an exceedingly delicate membra

the spermatozoa of

now abandoned, bu

authorities that t

to the interior of t

ays Dr. Hermann, "i

is, above all, esse

that one or more

At any rate, spermat

ed eggs of the most

of "Human Physiolog

Dr. Gamgee, p.

in the ovary, was never before advanced to my knowledge; hence I co

are essential to impregnation, since "they cannot be detected w

ve how the semen can find its way along the Fallopian tubes, how it can find its way toward the ovary, farther, at most, than into the uterus, and, consequently, cannot see how the ovum can be impregnated into the ovary-says, "Perhaps the most rational supposition may be that the ovum is transmitted to the uterus in the unimpregnated state; but there are certain facts which seem almost incompatible with this idea, especially the cases which not infrequently occur of perfect foetuses having been found in the tubes, or where they escaped them into the cavity of the abdomen. Hence it is demonstrated the ovum is occasionally impregnated in the tubes (wh

e from the third volume

he ovum, where, being surrounded with albuminous fluid with which it is nourished, it gradually becomes developed? It may be noticed that Leeuwenhoek estimates that ten thousand animalcul? of the human semen may exist in a spac

s which are essential to impregnation. But there is no evidence in favor of this last idea, and certainly it does not so well harmonize with the fact that the offspring generally partakes more or less of the character of its male parent. As Dr. Dewee

peration a foetus is never produced, but that corpora lutea were formed. The obvious conclusions from these facts are that the semen does not traverse the Fallopian tubes to reach the ovaria; yet, that the ovum becomes impregnated while in the ovarium and, consequently, that the semen reaches the ovum in some

is a little yellow

that take place in

and discharged it

considered a sure

ht to be developed

but it is now know

vesicle has been r

hey attain a larger,

when pregnancy take

not.-

t were never able to detect the smallest vestige of it in the uterus in any one instance."-Dewells Essay on Superfoetation. T

e supposed that it is necessary for the semen to pass through the mouth of the uterus to produce conception have urged that superfoetation could not take place, because, sa

old theory, the semen must have met with other difficulties than a closed month of the uterus,-it must have passed through several membranes, as we

them. She was present at their birth, so that no possible deception could have been practiced respecting them. The white girl is delicate, fair-skinned, light-haired and blue eyed, and is said very much to resemble the mother. The other has all the characteristic marks of the African; short of stature, flat, broad-nosed, thick-lipped, w

Dewees, "the semen, after it has escaped from the penis, quickly loses its albuminous appearance and becomes as thin and transparent as water. And we are certain that Ruysch was mistaken. Some alteration in the natural secretion of the parts was mistaken for semen. This was nowise difficult for him to do, as he had a particular theory to support, and more especially as this supposed discov

not generally the case, nor is it essential to impregnation; and further, that whatever semen may at any time be lodged in the uterus, has nothing to do with conception. It is not con

enjoyed; fourth, soon after menstruating. Respect-ing this latter circumstance, Dr. Dewees remarks, "Perhaps it is not erring greatly to say, that the woman is liable to conceive at any part of the menstrual interval. It is generally suppose

h concerns a ques

ce, is held at the

It is believed that

times, it is much m

few days before or

o say, during the

pened and detached

and are conveyed ou

lieve," says Dr. Car

exual feeling beco

ion; and it is quit

de for conception i

than there is at a

een made the subjec

who affirms that t

n occurs immediatel

n-are not more tha

s latest work on th

ifteen cases, in

accurately fixed,

the catamenia was a

correspondence bet

an Physiology," p

"although conceptio

truation, yet it is

ter cessation of the

-"Handbook of Ph

e of this visit was the impregnation of his wife. The lady was at that time within a week of her menstrual period; but as this did not fail to take place, she was led to hope that she had not suffered by the visit of her husband. But

to advance, the above, namely, that a woman is more likely to conceive, other things being the same, after being deprived for a season of those intercourses she had prev

thy child, may exceed the period of nine months by several days; the other, that a check is not always immediate

, could it be obtained." Unquestionably, however, some cases exceed this period by many days, or even weeks, and it has been a question much agitated, how far this period is ever exceeded. It is a question of some moment in a legal point of view. Cases are reported where the usual period was exceeded by five or six months; cases, too, where the cir

Bull's "Hints to M

shers'

at they are not confined to the human species. From the experiments of Tessier, it appears that the term of utero

s, or languor in the afternoon; she is liable to heartburn, and to disturbed sleep. The breasts at first often become smaller and sometimes tender; but about the third month they enlarge, and occasionally become painful. The nipple is surrounded with an aureole or circle of a brown color, or at least of a color sensibly deeper or darker than before. She loses her looks, becomes paler, and the under part of the lower eyelid is often somewhat of a leaden hue. The features become sharper, and sometimes the whole body begins to emaciate, while the pulse quickens. In many instances particular sympathies take place, causing salivation, toothache, jaundice, etc. In other cases very little disturbance is produced, and the woman is not certain of her condition until the time of quickening, which is generally about four months from conception. It is possible for a woman to mistake the effects of wind for the motion of the child, especially if they have never borne

we cannot from such appearances of the blood alone pronounce a woman pregnant, for a suppression of the menses, accompanied with a febrile state, may give the blood a like appearance as pre

ife," P. H. Chavasse

are given.-Pu

and is more completely closed, and the neck is felt to be thicker, or increased in circumference. When raised on the finger it is found to be heavier or more resisting. Whoever makes this examination must have examined the same uterus in an unimpregnated state, and

or, or one trained

ny such examinati

-Publish

ighton's experiments have established the fact, that with rabbits, whose term of utero-gestation is but thirty days, no effect is propagated to the ovaria until nearly fifty hours after coition; we should judge, t

ed in the passage

," says Dr. Kirkes,

in the human fem

gy," p.

quired for such matter, after its application, to stimulate and arouse the absorbent vessels to action; hence it is probabl