a Cafe of numerous Births. 35 x 
matter ; and that even twins, the mofl ufual variation, is not 
a very common occurrence. 
When we advance to triplets, or three born at once, we 
find comparatively very few inftances in this or any other 
Country ; and though every one has heard of fuch events as 
now and then happening, yet very few have feen them. 
In all thofe 18,300 women delivered at the Britifh Lying-in 
Hofpital, there has not been one fuch cafe. In the London 
Lying-in Hofpital, where, being inflituted later, 'much fewer 
have been delivered, they have had two fuch recorded as 
prodigies. In the Weflminfter Dilpenfary, in 1897 women 
delivered, there has been but one fuch event. 
In the Dublin Hofpital, in 2 1 ,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 extenfive pradticeof above thirty years, both in the 
county of Rutland and in London, I have attended but one la- 
bour where three children were born ; am perfonally acquainted 
but with one lady who, at Dumfries, in Scotland, after bearing 
twins twice, was delivered of three children at once ; and I was 
Clever acquainted with any one who produced a greater number. 
Yet fo much does this matter vary at Edinburgh, that Dr* 
Hamilton, Profeffor of Midwifry, writes, he had feen trip- 
lets born there, five or fix times in lefs than twenty-five years. 
Mauriceau, in a long life of very extenfive practice at 
Paris, with opportunities of knowing moft things extraordi- 
nary that happened in his time in France, tells us, he had feen 
triplets born but a few times ; had heard of four in that city 
but once, and mentions no greater number. 
One circumftance which he relates is fo far worthy of atten- 
tion, as it accords with one fomewhat fimilar fubjoined to Mr. 
Vol. LXXVII. E e e Hull’s 
