575 
of Edinburgh ^ Session 1865-66. 
bearing dead children only, or abortions only, or both (and the 
number of these is probably inconsiderable), in order to get the 
absolute sterility of wives. 
Sterility varies according to the age of the woman at marriage. 
About 7 per cent, of the women married from 15 to 19 years of age 
are sterile. Of those married from 20 to 24 years of age, almost 
none are sterile. After 24 years of age, sterility reappears and 
increases progressively with the age at marriage. 
Expectation of sterility begins after three years’ of marriage, for 
only 7 per cent, of fertile wives commence child-bearing after that 
period has elapsed. 
The probability of a woman’s being sterile is soonest decided at 
the ages at which the probability of fertility is greatest. 
Kelative sterility is sooner arrived at according as the age at 
marriage is greater. This is merely the converse of the law of 
continued fertility, that being greater according as the age at 
marriage is less. 
Expectation of relative sterility commences after three years of 
cessation of fertility, and increases as more time elapses. 
4. On certain Points in the Morphology of Cleft Palate. 
By John Smith, M.D., F.E.C.S.E. Communicated hy 
William Turner, M.B. 
In cases of cleft palate with alveolar fissure, the maxillary bones 
are, during infancy, not only ununited, but, in general, if not 
always, more widely separated from one another than in the natural 
condition. This has been frequently observed in such cases as 
come under the care of the surgeon, although little attention 
appears to have been bestowed upon the fact beyond its mere 
casual mention. Measurements, however, have been lately made 
by Dr Engel,* showing that the difference between certain fixed 
points — such as the two infra-orbital foramina, the nasal processes 
of the upper jaw, &c., is very well marked, when the distance is 
measured in a healthy new- born child, compared with one having 
a cleft palate. 
^ Prag. Vierteljalirschrift. 1864. P. 115. 
VOL, V. 4 F 
