Searchlights on Health: The Science of EugenicsJefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Philosophy
Searchlights on Health: The Science of Eugenics
Jefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Eugenics; Hygiene; Marriage; Medicine, Popular; Sexual ethics
4. EVIDENCE OF CONCEPTION.--Very many medical authorities,
distinguished in this line, have stated their belief that women never
pass more than two or three days at the most beyond the forty weeks
conceded to pregnancy--that is two hundred and eighty days or ten
lunar months, or nine calendar months and a week. About two hundred
and eighty days will represent the average duration of pregnancy,
counting from the last day of the last period. Now it must be borne
in mind, that there are many disturbing elements which might cause
the young married woman to miss a time. During the first month of
pregnancy there is no sign by which the condition may be positively
known. The missing of a period, especially in a person who has, been
regular for some time, may lead one to suspect it; but there are many
attendant causes in married life, the little annoyances of household
duties, embarrassments, and the enforced gayety which naturally
surrounds the bride, and these should all be taken into consideration
in the discussion as to whether or not she is pregnant. But then,
again, there are some rare cases who have menstruated throughout their
pregnancy, and also cases where menstruation was never established and
pregnancy occurred. Nevertheless, the non-appearance of the period,
with other signs, may be taken as presumptive evidence.
5. "ARTIFICIAL IMPREGNATION".--It may not be generally known that
union is not essential to impregnation; it is possible for conception
to occur without congress. All that is necessary is that seminal
animalcules enter the womb and unite there with the egg or ovum. It is
not essential that the semen be introduced through the medium of the
male organ, as it has been demonstrated repeatedly that by means of
a syringe and freshly obtained and healthy semen, impregnation can be
made to follow by its careful introduction. There are physicians in
France who make a specialty of "Artificial Impregnation," as it is
called, and produce children to otherwise childless couples, being
successful in many instances in supplying them as they are desired.
* * * * *
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PREGNANCY.
1. THE FIRST SIGN.--The first sign that leads a lady to suspect that
she is pregnant is her ceasing-to-be-unwell. This, provided she has
just before been in good health, is a strong symptom of pregnancy; but
still there must be others to corroborate it.
2. ABNORMAL CONDITION.--Occasionally, women menstruate during
the entire time of gestation. This, without doubt, is an abnormal
condition, and should be remedied, as disastrous consequences may
result. Also, women have been known to bear children who have never
menstruated. The cases are rare of pregnancy taking place where
menstruation has never occurred, yet it frequently happens that women
never menstruate from one pregnancy to another. In these cases this
symptom is ruled out for diagnotic purposes.
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