In this case then, the female was unwell in two pregnancies till the period of quickening; and in the other for four months, when miscarriage took place from accident.
And lastly, it may occur through the whole period of pregnancy.
Mrs. F—— is now pregnant for the third time. In her first pregnancy the monthly returns appeared for three periods, regular as to time, and in quantity and appearance as heretofore. During the second child-bearing, at every month till confinement. During the third—her present pregnancy—for three months only. This patient is always unwell while nursing.
Mrs. J——, now in her eighth pregnancy. Was unwell every month throughout the first six pregnancies; but the quantity always slightly diminished. In the seventh, the same circumstances occurred; but premature labour was this time induced, between the sixth and seventh months, by a fall. During the present pregnancy she has not seen anything. Is always unwell while suckling.
Mrs. P—— is in her fourth pregnancy. In the first three was unwell, at her regular periods, to the time of confinement. The discharge the same in quantity, but rather lighter appearance. Has been unwell in her pregnancy every month up to the present time.[[12]]
The following case proves how important it is that this fact should be generally known; for up to a very late period, some medical men have even denied the possibility of this occurrence.
The case I refer to was that of a young lady, privately married, the gradual enlargement of whose abdomen was decided by her medical attendant to arise from dropsy; for, although she had most of the symptoms of pregnancy, and the medical man was aware she had been married eight months, still, as she continued to menstruate, he declared it impossible that she could be pregnant. Tapping was proposed; and, except that her general health suffered much at this time, the operation would have been performed. The delay saved the patient such unfortunate and mistaken treatment—it might have proved fatal in its results—and she shortly gave birth to a living and healthy male child.
Fourth exception.—That women late in life have conceived after menstruation had apparently ceased for ever, the following cases prove:—
In September, 1834, I was called to the assistance of a female in labour in her forty-ninth year. She had not been pregnant for twelve years, and supposed she had ceased to menstruate two years previous to that time. She did well, and never afterward saw anything.
Mrs. B——, ætat. 39. Has been married eighteen years, commenced to be unwell very early in life. Has had three children; the last pregnancy seven years since. Is now again pregnant, her menses having left her sixteen weeks prior to conception; before which, she had been very irregular, and supposed she had ceased to be unwell for ever.