ACTION OF THE FEMALE. GOT 



alike to the mother and child ; and this prevention is to be attempted by rest 

 and tranquillity of mind and body, and by a careful avoidance of all the ex- 

 citing causes which may produce Uterine contractions by their operation on 

 the Nervous system. For it is to be remembered that, although the muscular 

 fibres of the Uterus are capable, like those of the alimentary canal, of an inde- 

 pendent action, they are likely to be excited to operation through the Nervous 

 system, and especially through the Sympathetic ( 203). The same action 

 which expels the Fretus also detaches the Placenta; and if the Uterus con- 

 tract with sufficient force after this has been thrown off, the orifices of the 

 vessels which communicated with it are so effectually closed, that little or no 

 hemorrhage takes place. If, however, the Uterus does not contract, or relaxes 

 after having contracted, a large amount of blood may be lost in a short time 

 from the open orifices. For some little time after Parturition, a sero-sanguine- 

 ous discharge, termed the Lochia, is poured out from the Uterus; and this 

 commonly contains shreds of the Deciduous membrane, which had not been 

 previously detached. Within a few weeks after delivery, the Uterus regains 

 (at least in a healthy subject) its previous condition; and it is probable that 

 the portion of its mucous Membrane, which had been thrown off as Decidua, 

 is very early reproduced. 



754. Although the duration of Pregnancy is commonly stated at nine solar 

 months, it would be more correct to fix the period at 40 weeks, or 280 days ; 

 which exceeds nine months by from 5 to 7 days, according to the months in- 

 cluded. This, at least, is the average result of observation, in cases in which 

 the period of Conception could be fixed, from peculiar circumstances, with 

 something like certainty. The mode of reckoning customary among women, 

 is to date from the middle of the month after the last appearance of the Cata- 

 menia ; but it is certain Conception is much more likely to take place soon 

 after they have ceased to flow, or even before their access, than at a later period 

 ( 742) ; so that, in most instances, it would be most correct to expect Labour 

 at forty weeks and a few days after the last recurrence of the Menses. The 

 period of Quickening may be relied on in some women, in whom it occurs 

 with great regularity in a certain week of Pregnancy ; but there is in general 

 great latitude as to the time of its occurrence. The usual or average time is 

 probably about the 18th week. 



755. The question of the extreme limits of Gestation is one of great import- 

 ance both to the Practitioner and to the Medical Jurist ; but it is one which 

 cannot yet be regarded as satisfactorily decided. Many persons, whose expe- 

 rience should give much weight to their opinion, maintain that the regular 

 period of 40 weeks is never exterlded for more than two or three days; whilst, 

 on the other hand, there are numerous cases on record, which, if testimony is 

 to be believed at all, (and in many of these, the character and circumstances 

 of the parties placed them above suspicion,) furnish ample evidence that Ges- 

 tation may be prolonged for at least three weeks beyond the regular term.* 

 The English law fixes no precise limit ; and the decisions which have been 

 given in our courts, when questions of this kind have been raised, have been 

 mostly formed upon the collateral circumstances. The law of France provides 

 that me legitimacy of a child born within 300 days after the death or departure 

 of the husband shall not be questioned ; and a child born after more than 300 

 days is not declared a bastard, but its legitimacy may be contested. By the 

 Scotch law, a child is not declared a bastard, unless born after the tenth month 

 from the death or departure of the husband. The analogical evidence drawn 

 from observations on the lower animals is extremely strong. The observations 



* A good collection of such cases will be found in Dr. Montgomery's excellent work 

 on the Signs of Pi egnancy. 



