[359]. In writing a work which is calculated for the instruction of so wide a range of readers, the authors have felt some difficulty in adjusting their Zero; but when they assure their scientific friends that they have heard a provincial attorney advocating the legality of smothering a hydrophobic patient, they trust that they will stand excused, even should their precautions be apparently trivial. Two women were tried at the York Assizes in 1812, for drowning a child, which was born with some mal-formation of the cranium, in consequence of which, it was likely that it could not survive many hours. There did not appear to have been any concealment on the part of the prisoners, who were not aware of the illegality of the act.
[360]. See Roebuck and Hamerton, Cowp. 737, and Hayes v. Jaques, July 1, 1777. There is some account of this latter case in the Annual Register, and in the Gentleman’s Magazine. The author of the present work was present at the anatomical examination of the Chevalier D’Eon, which took place in his lodgings in Milman-street, Bedford-row. Sir Anthony Carlisle examined the organs of generation, and satisfied all present of the perfect condition of the testicles.
[361]. By a decree of the magistracy this unfortunate woman was compelled to assume the dress of a male, and to change her name and character, in spite of her own feelings and inclinations; some time, however, after this event, she consulted Helvetius, who succeeded in completely curing the disease, and she was in consequence actually restored to her proper sex by a royal ordinance! So much for the value of that ultra medico-legal system which has distinguished some of the continental governments.
[362]. See An Experimental Inquiry concerning Impregnation, by John Haighton, M.D. Phil. Trans. for 1797, vol. 87, p. 159.
[363]. De Generatione Animalium.
[364]. Hunter. Anatomia Uteri Humani Gravidi, Tabulis Illustrata.
[365]. Dr. Heberden relates a case in his Commentaries, (chap. 43) of a woman who never ceased to have regular returns of the menstrual discharge, during four pregnancies, quite to the time of her delivery.
[366]. Burns’ Midwifery, edit. v. p. 197.
[367]. Denman’s Introduction to Midwifery.
[368]. Principles of Midwifery, edit. v.