O F P U B E R T Y. 433 



maintain, that this change in the uterus can ne- 

 ver appear but in v/omen who have formerly- 

 conceived and brought forth children. In firft 

 conceptions, indeed, the difference muft be lefs 

 perceptible; but, though ever fo confpicuous, 

 we have not fufficient evidence to conclude, that 

 it is a certain, a uniform, and a pofitive fign. The 

 ftudy of anatomy, aided by experience, affords, 

 on this fubjedt, general notions only, which va- 

 nlfli upon a clofer examination. The fame ob- 

 fervation may be applied to the fliivering, or 

 convulfive cold, which fome women are faid to 

 feel at the time of conception. As moft women 

 experience not this fenfation; as others^ on the 

 contrary, affure us, that they have felt a burn- 

 ing heat ; and as others ilill confefs that they are 

 utter ftrangers to all fuch feelings; the natural 

 conclufion is, that all thefe marks are highly e- 

 quivocal, and that, when they do happen, they 

 ought to be confidered, not as the effeds of con- 

 ception, but of other caules. 



On this fubjed I fliall add one fad from Mr 

 Parfons's ledures on mufcular motion, p. 79. 

 which proves, that the orifice of the uterus does 

 not clofc immediately after conception, or, if 

 it does clofe, that the femen may find af)affage 

 into the iiteru.s, by pciicirating its fubl^ance* 

 In tlie year 17 14, a woman of Charleftown 

 in South Carolina, was delivered of two chil- 

 dren, the one immediately after the other. 



Vol. II, E e To 



