VOL. XLIV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. " 373 



wthout at 4 in the morning, he found it at -§, 9 degrees below the freezing 

 point, that within at -f, 5 degrees above freezing point. But at 8 o'clock 

 the same morning, he found the thermometer without at — , 3-i- degrees above 

 freezing, and that within at 4 degrees above; so that in 4 hours time, that 

 without had risen 1 3-i- degrees, and that within had fallen 1 degree. This natu- 

 rally led him to examine what signs there might be of a thaw begun, but could 

 find none, in the snow, which was 5 inches deep, or in the post, on the win- 

 dows, but within an hour it was visible enough, and before 10 the houses 

 dropped. 



May not this sudden change of the temper of the air be attributed to a sub- 

 terranean heat ? and may not the shifting of the wind be caused, in a great mea- 

 sure, by the same ? 



^ Child being taken out of the Abdomen, after having lain there upwards of iQ 

 Years, during which Time the fVoman had 4 Children, all born alive. By 

 Star key Myddleton, M.D. N° 484, p. 617. 



In April 1/31, Mrs. Ball, perceived that she was pregnant; and in October 

 following, (then in the 6th month of her pregnancy) a child died in her lap of 

 convulsions, the surprise of which occasioned a great fluttering within her, 

 attended with a sensible motion of the child, which motion continued, though 

 gradually weaker and weaker, for 6 or 7 days, after which she did not perceive it 

 to move any more; but from this time she had constant pains, which appeared 

 like labour-pains. Her midwife, for several days, expected a miscarriage; but 

 finding herself disappointed, advised her to apply to Dr. Bamber, who after a 

 proper examination finding sufficient indications of a dead child, ordered her 

 some forcing medicines; on taking which about 3 times she discharged some- 

 thing, which the women supposed to be part of an after-birth, accompanied 

 with a small quantity of water; in consequence of this discharge her pains 

 ceased, but without any visible diminution of her belly. 



After some time she again applied to the doctor, who thought it most advisa- 

 ble to discontinue her medicines, and leave the afi^air intirely to nature. 



In this state she continued for about 20 months, viz. to July 1733, which was 

 1 years and 3 months from her first reckoning; she then again applied- to Dr. 

 Bamber, acquainting him that she was not yet delivered of the child she so long 

 since came to consult him about, and that her pains were lately returned, and 

 daily increased without any intermission. On examining her, he thought it pro- 

 per to send her home immediately, directing her to promote her pains, by fre- 

 quently supping some warm caudle, &c. by the use of which her pains became 

 more regular, and the next day the Doctor made her a visit, and was informed 



