of the Human Uterus. 67 



possibly be " a retention or accumulation," in either 

 the general or uterine system, during the latter months 

 of pregnancy, but if there is this contribution laid on 

 other excretions, what occasion can there be for the use 

 of the lancet ? 



The Doctor then refers us, in a summary way, to the 

 opinions of Dr. Rush : opinions always respectable, a- id 

 entitled to the highest deference from the medical world. 

 But opinions and detailed arguments are not the same, 

 in my view. 



At this moment, my pen is arrested by the melan- 

 choly tidings, that my able and worthy correspondent 

 has paid the great debt of mortality. In his mind burned 

 the lamp of science ; from his heart rose the incense 

 of piety ; and through his actions flowed the warm 

 stream of benevolence. But, alas ! nature has her de- 

 mands, and in a tone and style too forcible and intelli- 

 gible to be misunderstood, speaks to her son : " dust 

 thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." 



The menses are, with me, a natural secretion from 

 the arteries of the womb under ovarial influence. They 

 are the first to premonish even the tender virgin herself 

 of nubile maturity. They inspire their lovely authoress 

 with new desires, admonish her to new hopes, and 

 throw about her air all the ornament and force of irresis- 

 tible captivation, attraction, and grace. 



When this conceptious female, from sexual inter- 

 course with her manly companion, becomes pregnant, 



