The examiner must not forget that the wounds may extend to the fundus of the uterus, and in this case the autopsy shows that a blunt instrument, as a catheter or uterine sound, introduced through the os uteri into the retroverted uterus, glides by its own weight into the rent. The seat of the tear leads one to think that pregnancy was not far advanced when the attempt was made, and in fact the accident most frequently occurs in cases of suspected pregnancy. It must be remembered that the uterus is often punctured by the injudicious use of the uterine sound, but without any immediate dangerous symptoms. Wounds in the walls of the vagina indicate the use of instruments by an inexperienced hand; in the fundus of the uterus, to one at least accustomed to the introduction of instruments. Spontaneous rupture of the uterus is impossible during the early periods of pregnancy, just when the attempts at abortion are usually made. Rupture due to external violence is, as a rule, accompanied with outward signs of the violence used. In all cases a careful examination of the structure of the uterus should be made. An examination of the ovaries for _false_ or _true corpora lutea_ should be made. The opinions on the character and differences of these bodies are so discordant as to destroy all confidence in their value as proof of conception or the reverse. Taylor says: “The discovery of the _ovum_ in the uterus _in process of development_ could alone, in the present state of our knowledge, warrant an affirmative opinion on this point in a Court of Law, and this I believe to be the safest view at present of this much-contested question. On the other hand, the absence of a corpus luteum from the ovary would not in all cases warrant an opinion that conception had not taken place.” Examine carefully for local sepsis and signs of inflammation of the uterus and its surrounding structures. Recapitulation In Medicine, Abortion occurs before the sixth month of pregnancy--premature labour after that period. In Law, Abortion may take place any time before the full period of utero-gestation. Abortion may be due to-- 1. _Natural or Unavoidable Causes._ (_a_) Maternal.   (_b_) Fœtal. 2. _Violence, with Criminal Intent._ (_a_) Mechanical. (_b_) Medicinal. CHAPTER XIV INFANTICIDE