This subject is best discussed under three heads: (1) Signs of Recent Delivery in the Living. (2) Signs of Recent Delivery in the Dead. (3) Signs of Previous Delivery. 1. Signs of Recent Delivery in the Living (_a_) Transitory Signs; (_b_) Persistent Signs of Delivery (_a_) Transitory Signs of Delivery 1. _General Indisposition._--The face is pale or flushed; the eyes sunken, and surrounded by a dark areola; there is considerable debility, and a tendency to faint; the skin is warm and moist, and the pulse quick. It must be borne in mind that a woman who is anxious to conceal her recent delivery may, by an effort of the will, to a great extent hide her real condition. 2. _The Breasts._--The breasts feel firm and “knotty,” and on pressure yield a small quantity of _colostrum_ or milk, which may be distinguished by the aid of a microscope. 3. _The Abdomen._--The skin of the abdomen shows signs of recent distension; it is relaxed, and more or less thrown into folds, the lower part marked by irregular broken streaks of a pinkish tint, becoming white and silvery as time goes on. 4. _The Lochia, or the “Cleansings.”_--These consist in a discharge from the uterus, which, for the first three or four days after delivery, is more or less bloody. During the succeeding four or five days it acquires a dirty-greenish colour--“green waters,” with a peculiar sour, rancid odour. In a few days this is succeeded by a yellowish, milky-looking mucous discharge, which may continue for four or five weeks. 5. _External Parts of Generation._--The labia and vagina bear distinct marks of injury and distension. 6. _The Uterus._--The uterus is enlarged, and may be felt by the hand for two or three days after delivery, as a round ball, just above the pubes. The orifice of the uterus, if examined a few hours after delivery, appears as a continuation of the vagina. This condition completely disappears in about a week after delivery. 7. _After-pains._--These are of no use from a diagnostic point of view, as we have no means of testing their presence or absence. (_b_) Persistent Signs of Delivery 1. _Entire obliteration of the hymen._--This is no proof of actual delivery. 2. _Destruction of the fourchette._ 3. _The vagina dilated, and free from rugæ._ 4. _Dark colour of the areola round the nipples._--This varies among women; and cases are known where there was no areola either during pregnancy or after delivery.