298 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [^ANNO 1787. 



these are sufficient to show that nature observes no certahi rule in this matter ; 

 and that even twins, the most usual variation, is not a very common occurrence. 



When we advance to triplets, or 3 born at once, we find comparatively very 

 few instances in this or any other country ; and, though every one has heard of 

 such events as now and then happening, yet very few have seen them. In all 

 those 18,300 women delivered at the British Lying-in Hospital, there has not 

 been 1 such case. In the London Lying-in Hospital, where, being instituted 

 later, much fewer have been delivered, they have had 2 such recorded as prodi- 

 gies. In the Westminster Dispensary, in I897 women delivered, there has 

 been but 1 such event. In the Dublin Hospital, in 21,000 births, they have 

 had triplets born thrice, or once in 7000 times, but have never exceeded that 

 proportion or number, born at one time. 



In a pretty extensive practice of above 30 years, both in the county of Rut- 

 land and in London, I have attended but 1 labour where 3 children were born ; 

 am personally acquainted with but 1 lady who, at Dumfries, in Scotland, after 

 bearing twins twice, was delivered of 3 children at once ; and I was never ac- 

 quainted with any one who produced a greater number. Yet so much does this 

 matter vary at Edinburgh, that Dr. Hamilton, Professor of Midwifry, writes, 

 he had seen triplets born there, 5 or 6 times in less than 25 years. Mauriceau, 

 in a long life of very extensive practice at Paris, with opportunities of knowing 

 most things extraordinary that happened in his time in France, tells us, he had 

 seen triplets born but a few times ; had heard of 4 in that city but once, and 

 mentions no greater number. One circumstance which he relates is so far 

 worthy of attention, as it accords with one somewhat similar subjoined to Mr. 

 Hull's case now read, viz. " That the husband of one of those women who bore 

 3 children was by trade a painter, and had been, for 2 years preceding this birth, 

 paralytic over one half of his body, and yet had no reason to doubt the fidelity 

 of his wife." 



These facts, as far as they are to be depended on, may show us, that the 

 capacity of procreation in the male may remain under very infirm health ; and 

 that we ought to judge with candour of such wives as are fruitful when living 

 with very ailing husbands, and who produce healthy children in the 8th, or even 

 Qth month after their death ; as we can never say determinately under what de- 

 gree of disease the male is totally incapable of procreation : more especially as 

 we are very certain, that the female is not, when labouring under very desperate, 

 and certainly fatal diseases, provided the principal organs of generation be sound. 

 Nay, in cases of pulmonary phthisis, the life of the female seems to be pro- 

 tracted by pregnancy ; and I have attended a lady, who, after being pronounced 

 irrecoverably hectic, lived long enough to be twice delivered naturally of healthy 



