B. X.] THE HISTORY OF ANIMALS. 283 



drawn into the uterus by inhalation, as the mucus is drawn 

 into the nose. For this reason they become pregnant in 

 every position ; for the seminal fluid both in men and women 

 is always projected forwards ; but if it were projected into 

 the female she would not always conceive after copulation. 



2. But if the uterus is not straight, but inclined to the 

 hips, the loins, or the hypogastric region, it is impossible to 

 conceive, for the before-mentioned reason, that the uterus 

 cannot take up the seminal fluid. If this deformity is great, 

 either naturally or from disease, the disorder is incurable. 

 If there is a rupture, either by nature or arising from the 

 disease, which contracts the parts with inflammation, the 

 disorder will take a different turn from this. But in order 

 that women may become pregnant, it is necessary, as it was 

 said, that the mouth of the uterus should be straight and, 

 moreover, should be well opened. By this I mean that when the 

 menstrual discharge commences, the os uteri should, on con- 

 tact, appear softer than before, though not distinctly expanded. 

 But if this is the case, let the first appearance be white. 



3. But when the appearances are more the colour of 

 flesh, the uterus will be evidently relaxed without pain 

 when it is touched, and the os uteri is neither dull nor dif- 

 ferent from itself; and when the discharge ceases, let the 

 aperture be very open and dry, but not hard, for a day and 

 a half or two days ; for this shows that the uterus is in a 

 healthy state, and fit to perform its functions. If the os 

 uteri is not immediately relaxed, but appears soft, it shows 

 that both the uterus and the rest of the body are relaxed, 

 and the uterus does not prevent, but first discharges the 

 secretion from the os uteri. And when the rest of the body 

 has discharged a great deal, and the os uteri becomes re- 

 laxed, it is a sign of a healthy condition. 



4. And when the appearances cease to take place directly, 

 the uterus shows that, if there is any difficulty, it will be- 

 come empty and dry, and wanting in moisture, and there will 

 be no remains in the passage. "When the uterus, therefore, 

 is capable of contraction, it shows that it is in a proper state 

 for receiving whatever is brought to it, when it is in this 

 state without pain, and indeed is insensate ; and it is good 

 that the os uteri should not be in any other condition. 

 This shows that there is no reason why it should not close 



