A
Mechanical and Critical
ENQUIRY
INTO THE
NATURE
OF
HERMAPHRODITES
BY
JAMES PARSONS, M.D.
Fellow of the Royal Society.
LONDON:
Printed for J. Walthoe, over-against the
Royal-Exchange in Cornhill.
M DCC XLI.
To the Honourable
Sir Hans Sloane, Bart.
PRESIDENT,
And to the
Council and Fellows
OF THE
ROYAL SOCIETY
OF
LONDON;
THIS
Mechanical and Critical
ENQUIRY
Into the NATURE of
Hermaphrodites,
Is Humbly Dedicated,
By their most Obedient
Humble Servant,
James Parsons.
THE
CONTENTS.
| INTRODUCTION. | |
| Containing some historical Observations of Laws and other Occurrences about Hermaphrodites. | [Page xi] |
| Chap. I. | |
| Reasons against the Existence of an hermaphrodital Nature in human Bodies. | [1] |
| Chap. II. | |
| An historical and critical Account of the Causes of Hermaphrodites. | [38] |
| Chap. III. | |
| A general View of other Authors concerning Hermaphrodites. | [79] |
| Chap. IV. | |
| CONCLUSION. | |
| Containing a Description of a Fœtus, and a Recital of the Dissections of such Subjects, by some other Authors, &c. | [144] |
THE
PREFACE.
If the following Sheets are not thought so methodically digested, as some Criticks would require, yet, it is to be hoped, they may conduce, in some Measure, to the reforming of an Opinion, which, in general, is the Result of Doctrines, founded by the Ancients upon the most absurd Principles; and though (if I may use the Words of the great Dr Mead) “[1]I do not promise methodical and finished Treatises, but only some short Hints of Natural History, and rude Strokes of Reasoning;” yet I have this for my Plea, that the Expulsion of superstitious Mysteries and Errors, occult Causes, and, in fine, the Promotion of Truth, in some Parts of Natural Knowledge, to the utmost of my Power, are my sole Intention.