At _criminal law_, pregnancy may be used as a stay to the infliction of capital punishment. In the first case, a jury of matrons is impanelled by a writ _de ventre inspiciendo_, to decide the existence of pregnancy, and if the fact be proved, to watch till such time as she be delivered. In the second case, in England, the pregnancy must be proved, and also whether she be _quick with child_. In Scotland the pregnancy must be proved, but without reference to _quickening_, and the jury of matrons is unknown in that country. In the same country, if it can be shown that a woman is pregnant, and that her life or that of the child is endangered by her imprisonment, she may be admitted to bail till after delivery. A pregnant female also cannot be compelled to appear and give evidence, if on competent authority it be shown that her delivery will probably take place at the time fixed for the trial. Signs of Pregnancy The diagnosis of early pregnancy in ordinary cases is by no means easy, especially before the third or fourth month of gestation; but to the medical jurist it is still more difficult, as he has to deal with cases where he can scarcely expect much candour. No opinion should, however, be given without taking into consideration the collective value of the signs, as no one sign will afford sufficient data on which to base an opinion. The signs furnished by auscultation are the most reliable, but the position of the fœtus may render the sounds of the fœtal heart and placental souffle difficult to detect. The following may be taken as among the most important signs of pregnancy, given in the usual order of their occurrence: Uncertain or Accessory Signs 1. Cessation of menstruation First month. 2. Morning sickness Second month. 3. Salivation Variable. 4. Mammary sympathies Third month. 5. Enlargement of the abdomen Fourth month. 6. Quickening Fourth month. 7. Kiesteine Variable. 8. Jacquemier‘s Test Third month. Certain or Essential Signs 1. Ballottement Fourth month. 2. Uterine souffle Second month. 3. Pulsation of the fœtal heart Fourth month. Uncertain Signs 1. _Cessation of Menstruation._--The non-appearance of the catamenia, though a most valuable sign, is by no means a conclusive one, as menstruation may be arrested by diseases of various kinds; while, on the other hand, there are many well-recorded cases of women who have menstruated regularly during the whole period of their pregnancy. There have been also cases in which the menses only occurred during pregnancy; and in a few still more curious cases, women who have never menstruated have been known to have borne several children. In cases of concealed pregnancy, the woman may smear her linen with blood to imitate the menstrual flow.