Medical evidence relative to the duration of human pregnancy, as given in the Gardner Peerage Cause, before the Committee for Privileges of the House of Lords in 1825-6 / With introductory remarks and notes by Robert Lyall.

Date:
1826
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical evidence relative to the duration of human pregnancy, as given in the Gardner Peerage Cause, before the Committee for Privileges of the House of Lords in 1825-6 / With introductory remarks and notes by Robert Lyall. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    INTRODUCTION. As the Medical Evidence given before the Committee for Privileges of the House of Lords, in the Gardner Peerage Cause, involves most important considerations with respect to physiology, medical science, and legislation, as well as questions which are of great interest to the community, we have been induced to have it reprinted verbatim from the Minutes prepared for that august tribunal. We have taken the liberty to correct some trifling errors, as words which it was obvious were mistaken or mispelled, and have collected together the evidence of such of the witnesses as was scattered through different parts of these Minutes. It is admitted by all, that it is extremely difficult, nay, in many cases impossible, especially in civilized society, to ascertain the exact period of conception, and consequently the precise term to which utero-gestation may be prolonged. Still, as from the commence¬ ment of the world procreation has gone forward, and favourable opportunities for accurate observation have occurred, we might be led to think, that all disputes regarding regular and irregular periods of pregnancy were already sufficiently determined. But, on the contrary, we are nearly in the same state, on these points, as were the most ancient fathers of medicine; indeed, in one respect it may be said, that the present investigation has added difficulty to the subject. Arts and sciences have made great advancement; and, with all the advantages of their progress, a number of the most distinguished physician-accoucheurs of London have been examined, and have given the most conflicting evidence, without confirming a single important doctrine, except one which required no confirma¬ tion—the general opinion of mankind, that the usual term of human utero-gestation is nine calendar months, or about from 270 to 280 days. In forming an opinion respecting protracted gestation, we must cautiously examine the numerous cases recorded by the ancients, as well as by the moderns. Few of them, when properly sifted, lead to any positive conclusion*. The sources of fallacy and decep- * A few of the witnesses would have done well to have perused and well digested some good works on Medical Jurisprudencef, before they appeared + Any plea, that might, in former times, have been advanced as to the want ot books of reference on Medical Jurisprudence, or Forensic Medicine, cannot be sustained in these days : besides some other works of less value, our countrymen have access to Male’s. Elements of Juridical Medicine —Smith’s Principles of Forensic Medicine—Smith’s Analysis of Medical Evidence—Paris and Fonblanque’s Medical Jurisprudence—and Beck’s Ele¬ ments of Medical Jurisprudence: all, though not faultless, excellent publi¬ cations. a 2