nearly synchronous as to be scarcely if at all distinguishable in this respect. Hence, therefore, from the known variable character of the foetal pulse, it will be necessary that the sound of each heart should be ausculted at the same moment, minute for minute, by two observers, and thus the slightest appreciable difference between them determined. _Funic souffle._ Dr. Kennedy has shown that, where a portion of the umbilical cord passes between the child's body and the anterior wall of the uterus, or crosses any of its limbs or other projections, pulsations are heard synchronous with those of the foetal heart; although not possessing the same characters. "In some cases where the uterus and parietes of the abdomen were extremely thin, I have been able," says Dr. K., "to distinguish the funis by the touch externally, and felt it rolling distinctly under my finger, and then, on applying the stethoscope, its pulsations have been discoverable remarkably strong; and, on making pressure with the finger for a moment on that part of the funis which passed towards the umbilicus of the child, I have been able to render the pulsations less and less distinct, and even, on making the pressure sufficiently strong, to stop it altogether." (_Op. cit._ p. 121.) In many cases where the umbilical arteries, by their convolutions round a limb, or by any other cause, are subjected to slight pressure, a distinct whizzing sound is produced, which is called by Dr. Kennedy the _funic souffle_. The sound of the foetal heart must be looked upon as a sign of the highest value in the diagnosis of pregnancy, since, however complicated and obscure the other symptoms may be, whether from co-existing disease, wilful deception, &c. if this sound be once heard unequivocally, the real nature of the case is satisfactorily established beyond all possibility of doubt. Another sound in the gravid uterus has been lately noticed by Professor Naegelé, junior, which promises to equal that of the foetal heart, as a certain diagnostic of pregnancy, and must be looked upon as a valuable addition to our means of ascertaining the truth in cases of this sort. The movements of the foetus may be distinguished by the stethoscope at a very early period of pregnancy, long before they are perceptible to the hand of the accoucheur, and in many cases before the patient has been aware of them herself. According to Professor Naegelé's observations, these sounds may usually be heard some little time before the foetal heart is audible, and are sounds which can neither be feigned nor concealed: they can only be heard in the gravid uterus, and under no other circumstances.