It is always desirable, and frequently of the first importance, to be able to know whether a female is pregnant or not, both to the accoucheur and to the individual, or even to be able to judge whether she is probably or possibly so, or not. Sometimes this can be decided positively, but more frequently it is a matter of great uncertainty. The presumptive and positive signs on which a judgment can be formed are of various kinds, most of which can be readily observed, and easily made use of by any person in possession of the information already given in the preceding section. They will be set forth in the following Chapters, together with such other matter as appertains to this part of the subject, in such a manner as will make them available either for professional or for private use. CHAPTER V. SIGNS OF PREGNANCY, AND THE MEANS OF DETECTING IT. The signs of Pregnancy are of three kinds--Presumptive, Probable, and Certain. PRESUMPTIVE SIGNS. The presumptive signs of pregnancy are only of value in the first _three months_. They consist mainly of certain nervous and organic derangements, and of certain changes in personal appearance. It is scarcely possible to enumerate all these, nor is it necessary; we shall therefore only specify those most important, and most generally met with. Colic pains, and creeping of the skin, with shuddering and fainting fits, very frequently follow _immediately on conception_, and in many females inform them when that event occurs. Some persons speak of other sensations, of a peculiar nature, by which they _always_ know, in their own cases, when they conceive; but these sensations are felt by so few, and are so little capable of being explained or observed, that they are of no general use. In most cases, within the first three months, and sometimes in the first three days, the face changes remarkably. The eyes are sunk and dull, and surrounded by a black circle, the nose seems pinched up, the skin turns pale, and red spots, or freckles, frequently appear. Many females also complain of a husky dry throat, numbness in the hands and feet, and a sudden sinking at the heart. These signs, however, are very uncertain guides; very often none of these are felt at all during pregnancy, and sometimes they are all experienced from other causes. One of the most constant signs, according to some, and the most to be relied upon, is an _increase in the size of the neck_. This I know is often very apparent, and at a very early period. I am acquainted with females who, by simply keeping the measure of their necks, can always tell when they are pregnant. The increase is often considerable in a few days. In young persons of a certain temperament however, the neck is apt to swell merely from _marriage_, though they do not conceive; and some old nurses, we are told, being acquainted with this fact, judge of the honesty of their unmarried charges by such admeasurements!