VOL. LXXXIX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 48Q 



The other malformation is a protrusion of the internal parts, which may be con- 

 sidered a prolapsus uteri, and therefore more a disease than an original malforma- 

 tion ; it is probable however, that if the parts had been perfectly formed, and ac- 

 quired their due size, this change of their situation could not happen. The womb, 

 thus displaced, has put on an appearance resembling a penis ; and has been actually 

 mistaken for one, even by medical men of character, who examined the parts. 

 The following case of this kind came under my own observation. A French wo- 

 man had a prolapsus uteri at an early age, which increased as she grew up ; the 

 cervix uteri was uncommonly narrow, and at the time I saw her, when she 

 was about 15 years old, projected several inches beyond the external opening of 

 the vagina ; the surface of the internal parts, from constant exposure, had lost its 

 natural appearance, and resembled the external skin of the penis ; the orifice of the 

 os tincae was mistaken for the orifice of the urethra. This woman was shown as a 

 curiosity in London ; and, in the course of a few weeks, made 4001. I was in- 

 duced by curiosity to visit her, and on the first inspection discovered the deception ; 

 which, though very complete to a common observer, must have been readily de- 

 tected by any person intimately acquainted with anatomy. To render herself still 

 more an object of curiosity, she pretended to have the powers of a male. As soon 

 as the deception was found out, she was obliged to go away. 



The history of an hermaphrodite is published in the l6th vol. of the Phil. Trans., 

 which proves to be exactly similar to this, as is sufficiently ascertained by the menses 

 flowing regularly through the orifice of the supposed penis. The French physi- 

 cians were however so perfectly convinced of her manhood, that they made her 

 change her dress, and learn a trade. To this she readily submitted ; and the account 

 says, she could perform very well the functions of a man, but not those of the other 

 sex. This woman also was French. 



It is probable, that the most common imperfection in the male organs of gene- 

 ration, is a defect in the structure of the testicle ; that organ remaining in its foetal 

 state, and never becoming fitted to perform its functions. When this happens, 

 the person cannot be considered of the masculine gender, but of the neuter ; hav- 

 ing, properly speaking, no sex. Such persons, in their general external form, have 

 neither the true character of a man, nor that of a woman. These neuters are 

 more common than is generally believed : they vary in their external appearance ; 

 some being an exact medium between the male and female, and others having a 

 greater resemblance to the one or the other sex ; which bias may be the result of 

 turn of mind, occupation, or other circumstances. Probably, only those whose 

 form is very like females, attract the notice of common observers, so as to have 

 their defects discovered. 



The following instances of children with male organs having remained neuters, 

 in consequence of the testes being imperfectly formed, and incapable of producing 

 that influence on the constitution which stamps it with the character of the sex, 

 have come under my own observation. A marine soldier, aged 23, in the year 



VOL. xviii. 3 I£ 



