A dissertation on infanticide, in its relations to physiology and jurisprudence / [William Hutchinson].

  • Hutchinson, William, M.D., active 1821.
Date:
1821
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dissertation on infanticide, in its relations to physiology and jurisprudence / [William Hutchinson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    “ A week after delivery, the womb is as large signs °-f receni as two fists. At the end of a fortnight, it will dehve y be found about six inches long, generally lying obliquely to one side. The inner surface is still bloody, and covered partially with a pulpy sub¬ stance like decidua. The muscularity is dis¬ tinct, and the orbicular direction of the fibres round the orifice of the tubes very evident. The substance is whitish. The intestines have not yet assumed the same order as usual ; but the distended coecum is often more prominent than the rest. “ It is a month at least before the uterus re¬ turns to its natural state, but the os uteri rarely, if ever, closes to the same degree as in the vir¬ gin state.5’ The consideration of the appearances just de¬ scribed, may become a matter of serious impor¬ tance on another occasion, besides that just in¬ dicated, as when a woman is suspected of having produced a child which cannot be found ; for, though the coroner cannot take an inquest in this case, (as it can be done only super visum corpo¬ ris,) the affair may be enquired into by the jus¬ tices of the peace, and brought into a court of criminal judicature. § XX. The Medical Practitioner has now only to present his formal report, containing his conclusions in respect to the stated objects of this REPORT OF THE MEDI¬ CAL PRACTI¬ TIONER TO THE LEGAL AUTHORITIES.