Fruits of philosophy, or, The private companion of young married people / by Charles Knowlton.

  • Charles Knowlton
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Fruits of philosophy, or, The private companion of young married people / by Charles Knowlton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the attainment of the great advantages which it is the chief object of this work to bestow upon mankind. People generally, as was the case with physicians until of late years, entertain a very erroneous idea of what takes place in the process of conception. Agreeable to this idea, the “ check” which i consider far preferable to any other, would not be effectual; as would be obvious to all. Consequently, entertaining this idea;, people would not have due confidence in it. Hence it is necessary to correct a long held and widely extended error. But this I can¬ not expect to do by simply saying it is an error. Deep rooted and heretofore undisputed opinions are not so easily eradicated. If I v.’ould convince any one that the steps in one of the most recondite processes of nature are not such as he has always believed, it wili greatly serve my purpose to show what these steps are. I must first prepare him tobe reasoned with, and then reason the matter all over with him—I must point out the facts which disprove his opinion, and show that my own is unattended with difficulties; But what can be more obvious than that it is absolutely impos¬ sible to explain any process or function of the animal economy so as to be understood, before the names of the organs which perform this function has been defined, that is, before the organs themselves have been described ? Now it is well known to every anatomist;, and indeed it must be obvious to all, that in describing any organ or system of organs we must always begin with some external and known part, and proceed regularly, step by step to the internal and unknown. As in arithmetic, “ every thing must be understood as you go along.” Fully to effect the objects of this work, it is, therefore, a matter of necessity that I give an anatomical description of certain parts— even external parts—which some, but for what I have just said, might think it useless to mention. It is not to gratify the idle curiosity of tlje light minded that this book is written: it is for utility in the broad and truly philosophical sense of the term ; nay, farther, it shall, with the exception of here and there a little spicihg, be confined to practical utility. I shall therefore endeavour to treat of the subject in this chapter so as to be understood, without giving any description of the male organs of generation : though X hold it an accomplishment for one to be able to speak of tho organs, as diseases often put them under the necessity of doing; without being compelled to use low and vulgar language. But I must briefly describe the female organs; in doing which, I must, of course, speak as do other anatomists and physiologists; and whoever to this objects, will discover more affectation and prudery than good sense and good will to mankind. The adipose or fatty matter immediately over the share bone, forms a considerable prominence in females, which, at the age of puberty, is covered with hair, as in males. This prominence la called Mens Veneris.
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