“At the end of _three months_ the eyelids are distinct but shut; the lips are drawn together; the forehead and nose are clearly traceable, and the organs of generation prominent. The heart beats with force, the larger vessels carry red blood; the fingers and toes are well-defined, and muscles begin to be developed. “At the _fourth_ month the embryo takes the name of _fetus_. The body is six to eight inches in length and weighs from seven to eight ounces. The skin has a rosy color, and the muscles produce a sensible _motion_. A fetus born at this time might live several hours. “At _five_ months the length of the body is from eight to ten inches, and its weight from eight to eleven ounces. “At _six_ months the length is twelve and a half inches; weight, one pound. The hair appears upon the head, the eyes closed, the eyelids somewhat thicker, and their margins, as well as the eyebrows, are studded with very delicate hairs. “At _seven_ months, every part has increased in volume and perfection; the bony system is nearly complete; length, twelve to fourteen inches; weight, two and a half to three pounds. If born at this period the fetus is able to breathe, cry and nurse, and may live if properly cared for. “At _eight_ months, the _fetus_ seems to grow rather in length than in thickness; it is only sixteen to eighteen inches long and yet weighs from four to five pounds. The skin is very red, and covered with down and a considerable quantity of sebaceous matter. The lower jaw, which at first was very short, is now as long as the upper one. “Finally, at _term_ the fetus is about nineteen to twenty-three inches long, and weighs from six to nine pounds. The red blood circulates in the capillaries, and the skin performs the functions of perspiration; the nails are fully developed.” There is a superstition that a child born at eight months is not as liable to live as if born at seven months; indeed, many suppose that an eight months’ child never survives. Facts do not prove this idea correct. Personally I have known several eight months’ babies to live and do well, and I believe that their chance of life is much greater than if born at seven months. POSITION OF THE FETUS.--The fetus usually lies with the head downward, the chin resting upon the breast. The feet are bent in front of the legs, the latter flexed upon the thighs. The knees are separated from each other, but the heels lie close together on the back of the thighs; the arms are crossed upon the breast, so placed that the chin can rest upon the hands. In this way it forms an oval, whose longest diameter is about eleven inches. This is the usual position, yet it often varies from it. CHAPTER III. PREGNANCY--SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS. THE SIGNS OF PREGNANCY are physiological and pathological; physiological, those common to all women; pathological, those which are the result of and accompany diseased conditions.