[60]. Abortio—Abortus, formed of ab from, and orior to be born. Among the ancient physicians the term Abactus or Abigeatus, was used for a miscarriage procured by art, or force of medicines, in contradistinction to Abortus, which is natural. But the moderns acknowledge no such distinction.
[61]. See our history of the Juniperus Sabina, vol. ii, p. 578.
[62]. It is a curious circumstance, that, although Hippocrates prohibited physicians from assisting in procuring abortion, he relates the case of a young woman whom he had recommended to dance, and use other violent exercise, for that purpose, in whom it produced the effect, and without materially injuring the woman.
[63]. Amor. l. 2, eleg. 14.
[64]. Tertull. de Anima, apud oper. p. 323, ed Rigalt.
[65]. On the uncertainty of the signs of murder in the case of Bastard Children. Read before the London Medical Society, and published in the sixth volume of “Medical Observations and Inquiries.”
[66]. A dissertation on Infanticide, in its relations to Physiology and Jurisprudence, by W. Hutchinson, M.D. Edit. 2, London 1821.
[67]. See our chapter on the methods of treating Asphyxia, vol. ii, p. 75.
[68]. We have no word in the English language so expressive as viable. That adopted by Dr. Gordon Smith, rearable, is a very clumsy substitute. The subject has been very fully discussed by Professor Capuron, to whose most excellent work, entitled “La Medecine Legale, relative a l’Art des Accouchemens,” we must refer the reader.
[69]. Dr. Hutchinson states that the weight of the fœtus at the full term of utero-gestation has generally been rated too high; apparently from this having been stated from conjecture, rather than from the evidence of the balance.