352 Dr. Clarke’s Obfervations on the 
in above 20,000 infiances : a number which I am inclined to 
think can hardly appear infufficient for eftablifhing fome general 
inferences and conciufions on a tolerably fure foundation. Al- 
though my reafoningon thefe matters fhould not appear very 
conclufive, or my calculations perfedly accurate, yet I flatter 
myfelf, that the fads will neither be unacceptable nor ufelefs 
to you. 
I believe it may be fafely afferted, that anatomy has not 
hitherto deteded any internal difference between the animal 
oeconomy of the male and female, which can be fuppoled to 
account for their difference of mortality, more efpecially in 
early Infancy ; and this (it deferves to be particularly remarked) 
is the period during which the chances are much the greatefl 
againfl male life. It is a matter of common obfervation that 
males , ctetcris paribus , grow to a greater fize than females, 
both in utero and every fubfequent period of their growth. Con- 
fequently, they muft meet with more difficulty, and endure more 
hardfhip and fatigue, in the hour of birth. Accordingly, 
praditioners in midwifry, taught by experience, know, that 
when any confiderable difficulty occurs in the birth of a child 
(for example, in all the different kinds of preternatural labours) 
they ftand a much better chance of faving the life of a female 
than of a male. It is on this principle we can explain what our 
regiftry concurs with others in proving, viz. that near one-half 
more males than females are ftill-born. Naturalifts are agreed, 
that the head of the human foetus is larger in proportion to its 
body than that of any other animal ; and I believe it is certain, 
that no animal whatever brings forth its young with fo much 
difficulty, pain, and danger, as a woman. Now as we know 
that the head contains one of the moft important organs of the 
body to life, it is highly reafonable to fuppofe, that any 
additional 
