146 SEX OF THE FCETUS. 



of gestation would have sufficed after the fifth month to destroy the 

 iUusion; but the patient cherished her error so dearly, that she would 

 not permit herself to be examined; and more particularly as she en- 

 tertained not the shadow of a doubt as to her condition. 



I do not here treat of molar pregnancy, nor hydatid pregnancy, 

 because moles and hydatids of the womb being nothing but products 

 of unnatural conception, give rise to the same phenomena as natural 

 pregnancy, and always end in abortion. 



ARTICLE TIL 

 Of Pregnancy ^ as it regards the Sex of the Foetus. 



§. L Is it possible to ascertain the sex of the 

 fcBttis during pregnancy. 



379. When we reflect on the powerful and various reasons that 

 should lead man to seek in the future for what may subserve or dis- 

 turb his interests and his passions, the desire of knowing the sex of a 

 child still inclosed in the womb of its mother surely seems to be quite 

 legitimate. The woman who becomes pregnant rarely fails to attach 

 an idea of greater happiness to one sex than to the other. In the most 

 common conditions of social life the husband himself is often tor- 

 mented with the same inquietudes. If to this sentiment which is so 



general bo added tliC fcaro wf a wliulc raillll_y tVivoatoncd -«illj oKtino- 



tion for want of heirs male; the alarm of a whole people; the various 

 clashing designs of all nations united by the bonds of civilisation 

 when the reigning dynasty of a great empire has no hope save in 

 the being who is as yet unborn, we shall comprehend the efforts 

 that have in all past time been made to satisfy public curiosity on 

 this head. 



380. The gods, diviners, and sorcerers, have in turn been con- 

 sulted: at Rome, Livia had patience enough, assisted by her women, 

 to complete the incubation of an egg with the warmth of her hands; 

 being persuaded that if a male was hatched from this egg, the child 

 with which she was pregnant would be a boy, and that the reign of 

 Augustus might thus be continued. The Egyptians and IniUans 

 depended on the state of the heavens, or on the nature of the con- 

 stellations, at the moment of fecundation; the Greeks and all the 

 people of the ancient world used to rely upon the phases of the moon, 

 &c. But unfortunately not one of these auspices but has deceived 

 the credulity of poor man. 



