after the Menstrual Flow has ceased, there is very little danger of
impregnation, and in some females this time might be extended to two
or three days with safety. The Zoospermes of the Semen will live for
twenty-four hours within the Womb, and it is possible for the Egg to
be impregnated by them the moment it leaves the Fallopian Tube. We
therefore state the probable time that impregnation cannot take place
to be twenty-four hours, allowing the second twenty-four hours for the
possibility of there being living Semen in the Womb. After the Decidua
and Egg have passed out of the Womb, which is from ten to sixteen days
after the Menstrual Flow has ceased, impregnation, or conception, is then
utterly impossible until after another monthly turn is over, and so on.
French women are famous for a clear understanding of all the phenomena
attending impregnation, and they generally avoid it at pleasure. They
know exactly when the Decidua and Egg leaves them—they watch for it, and
it is said many of them search for it and take it away violently. At
all events, there are multitudes of the class called grisettes—females
who are content to live and cohabit with any decent man who offers them
a support—who never get into the family way at all. Their secret is
supposed to be a physiological knowledge, or art, which enables them to
destroy the Decidua, or membrane which keeps the Egg from passing out of
the Womb. We confess we cannot understand how so delicate an operation
can be performed by a woman upon her own person; but the thing is not
impossible.
Married people who desire to avoid having children might generally attain
their object by refraining from sexual intercourse for a week or ten days
after the cessation of the Menstrual Flow; or, they might follow the
precaution recommended in our chapter on Prevention during that period.
It is supposed that conception takes place within seven days after the
monthly turn nineteen times out of twenty. But to be on the safe side,
you should wait longer—even to sixteen days—unless you can discover
when the Decidua and Egg pass off. There are certain symptoms connected
with this expulsion of the Egg which may be detected. A thin, colorless,
watery fluid comes from the Vagina, and is often so abundant as to wet
the external parts. This will continue for some hours, and will be
followed by a grayish-white clot about the size of a pea. The discharge
of this clot is frequently accompanied by slight pains and bearing down
of the Womb. This is the Decidua and Egg. When a woman can discover, with
certainty, the passage of this clot, she is then safe from impregnation
until after her next monthly turn.
The manner in which the Egg of the female is impregnated by the male
Semen is curious and interesting. In its first state, while in the Ovary,
there may be seen within it a little dot called the Germinal Vesicle.
When the Egg is fully ripe, and just as it leaves the Ovary, this little
dot is by some unknown process expelled, leaving an open passage to the
very centre. The Egg is then ready for impregnation; for, on passing
into the Womb, if the male Semen come in contact with it, one of the
animalculæ instantly darts into this open passage and buries itself. All
these curious operations of Nature have been discovered by the use of
the Microscope, and they are not only very interesting, but are of great
importance to mankind.
It will be seen from these explanations of the principles of
Impregnation, that a healthy woman may conceive under almost any
circumstances—that the idea that a first and only connection would
not impregnate is erroneous—that the most brutal violation may cause
conception—in short, that if a female were rendered senseless by drugs,
or by a blow upon the head, this would not prevent the impregnation of
the Egg if the time were propitious.
Sexual enjoyment of the female during connection may hasten the
accomplishment of the desired end in various ways, but it is by no means
necessary to impregnation or conception. Indeed, there are many females
of cold temperament who seldom experience any very pleasing sensations
during connection, and some who have no sexual desires at all. I knew a
case in Hartford, Connecticut, many years ago, where a wealthy gentleman
desired offspring. He had lost his Penis when quite a young man; but
yet he was able, at times, to discharge Semen from the urinary passage.
He was married after the loss of his private member, and lived with his
wife—a very worthy woman—ten years, never dreaming that he could ever
become a father. One day a physician banteringly told him of a similar
case in Vienna, where the man had actually become a father by the use of
a small glass syringe, with which he injected his Semen into the Vagina.
It was a singular coincidence that this Hartford gentleman afterwards
became the father of two interesting little ones. He had doubtless used
the Syringe!
There is a class of amorous women who cannot be impregnated at all. They
are afflicted with a sort of disease called Nymphomania, or insatiable
passion for venery. Such cases are rare, but still they occur. A young
lady patient of mine, in describing this disease, said that she had
the most irresistible disposition to lasciviousness imaginable; that
when alone she could not desist from rubbing the parts until she became
exhausted and sunk down in perspiration: she slept well, but as soon
as she was awake the same propensity recurred. Another lady (married)
who consulted me, said she had always been brought up virtuously, and
had hitherto been well disposed; but now a man could scarcely pass her
without her experiencing those sensations which were alone her husband’s
right.
Nymphomania is attended with obscenity, restlessness, and delirium.
The patients delight to talk obscenely, and solicit men to satisfy
their desires, both by words and gestures. It is generally caused by
masturbation, or undue irritation of the private parts when very young;
and the usual treatment is to keep them well syringed out with castile
soap and water, and wear a bag of powdered camphor on the back of the
neck. Camphor taken internally is also good. A very little camphor
introduced into the water with which you wash the part will likewise act
favorably.
Young females troubled with Nymphomania, who thereby bring themselves
into disgrace, are more to be pitied than despised: for it requires a
great degree of moral firmness for them to resist both the promptings
of Nature and those of licentious men at the same moment. Parents and
guardians should act accordingly.
CAUSES WHICH DETERMINE THE SEX OF A CHILD.
Physiologists have given many absurd ideas on this subject, and almost
all their theories have been exploded. In olden time it was believed that
male children came from the right ovary of the mother, while females
came from the left. Hence it was asserted that on whichever side she lay
after connection, the ovary on that side would be impregnated. This plan
of producing girls or boys at pleasure did not work, and was discarded
even before the present minute knowledge of the principles of generation
became known. The sex of an infant is not necessarily determined at its
conception. In their unformed state, the Testes are within the body
in about the same position as the Ovaries, and are similar to them in
appearance. It is therefore possible that certain causes may influence
the sex of the Fœtus after it has commenced its growth. As a general
rule, however, the sex of a child is influenced by circumstances at the
moment of conception. Both experiment and observation have shown that the
most ardent and vigorous individual of the couple, whether it be the man
or the woman, will cause the sex of the child. On the other hand, where
both are nearly alike in this respect, other influences must govern,
and hence some couples have children of both sexes. The relative ages of
married people frequently has an influence, because, when both are young,
the oldest of the two is usually the most vigorous, and hence, as before
stated, sex follows the predominating parent. Some physicians lay it down
as a rule, that an elderly or middle-aged man will be sure to get boys
from a young woman, and _vice versa_. But the rule does not work in every
case. There is such a difference of sexual desires in different people,
that it is impossible for any one, except perhaps themselves, to judge
which has the most robust sexual powers. Another cause of sex is supposed
to be the relative amorousness of the couple after impregnation has taken
place. Some women experience much pleasure in sexual connection until
they become _enciente_, and then all their desires suddenly cease. In
cases like this, where the connection is continued, the husband would be
apt to influence the sex after conception, and then the offspring would
be male. But should circumstances prevent their continued connection, she
would, in nine cases out of ten, give birth to a female child. To sum up,
amorous females generally breed female children, while those of a colder
temperament breed boys. When both are moderate in their desires, children
of both sexes are produced. When the female is unnaturally amorous, (and
such cases frequently occur,) she seldom becomes impregnated at all. The
following mode of influencing the sex of the child, some physiologists
assert, is really effective, and it looks reasonable. When the woman is
just over her monthly turn—say within two or three days—the husband may
then try for a girl. After one or two connections, let him abstain for
the next month or two, or even longer. He thus impregnates his wife at
the moment of her greatest sexual vigor, and by abstinence he does not
influence the sex of the child after conception. Should he desire a boy,
let him keep up his connection for two weeks or more after his wife has
got over her monthly turn, at the same time carefully practicing the
precaution of withdrawal, described in other pages under the head “Modes
of Preventing Conception.” At that period the wife will have partially
exhausted her amative powers, when he can be almost certain that a boy
will be the result of her impregnation.
A curious fact relative to the resemblance of children to their parents
has been developed by observation. Where a man is absent from his wife
during the period of gestation, the child is almost sure to resemble
the mother. On the other hand, an amorous father, who keeps a constant
connection with his wife during pregnancy, will cause the child to
resemble him. If a woman should become pregnant by one man, and then
cohabit constantly with another during her pregnancy, the child would
bear a resemblance to the second man rather than to its father. This
would surely be the case if she were fond of the latter’s caresses.
It often happens that a married couple will have “a run” of children of
one sex, and then turn round and breed those of the opposite sex. This
may be accounted for by the failing health, and consequent vigor, of the
predominating parent. Thus if a woman begins to breed boys, and after
having had several, turns round and breeds a number of girls, it is a
pretty sure sign that the sexual vigor of her husband is on the wane, or
that his bodily health is failing. Should girls come first in rotation,
and boys afterwards, the mother’s generative vigor may be suspected of
falling off. These are, however, mere suggestive ideas; though readers
may understand from them the principle upon which Nature forms the two
sexes. I have no doubt that a careful and practical study of the subject
may sometimes enable parents to elect the sex of their offspring, on the
principle we have explained; but there are so many curious phases in the
phenomena of procreation, that any certainty on the subject is out of the
question.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE FŒTUS.
The escape or expulsion of the Germinal Vesicle from the Ovum, or Egg,
leaves, as we have already explained, a passage to its very centre,
thus enabling the Zoospermes, or male animalculæ, to enter. If both are
perfect and healthy, impregnation is then complete. The first change that
now takes place is observed in the Vitellus, or yellow of the Egg, which
at once forms itself into a mass of little globules; and it is a singular
fact that these are always a fixed even number, generally beginning with
four or six, and so multiplying or doubling—always, however, keeping
the number even. If by chance they should end their self-arrangement
by an odd number, a perfect being could not be formed—the impregnation
would end either in an abortion or an unnatural growth in the Womb. It
generally takes two or three days for the globules to arrange themselves,
and meantime the Zoosperme, or male principle, remains dormant. The
globules soon begin to form themselves either into Testicles or Ovaries,
as the sex may be, of the future being. At the same time myriads of
smaller globules break off from them and spread all round the Zoosperme,
which is soon entirely covered or coated with them. They now grow
together and form the skin. The Zoosperme is supposed to be the head and
spine, and the globules, which thus form the skin, shut out our view from
observing any further formations. The Testicles, or Ovaries, as the case
may be, are now quite prominent, though we cannot yet determine the sex,
even with the most powerful microscope, nor is there any form to the new
being other than the original shape of the male animalculæ.
After the formation of the skin and procreative organs, as stated, the
little being again shows signs of life, and struggles in its Egg until it
frees itself from all the membranous substances which surround it, and
is enabled to turn round at its pleasure. Its movements are frequently
rapid and lively, and they doubtless are necessary to the formations
and changes which soon begin to take place. At the end of twelve days
the Ovum is found to be enlarged to the size of a pea, and its whole
organization may be seen with the naked eye. It is coated with two
membranes, between which is a gelatinous substance, and the interior is
filled with a fluid in which the fœtus swims about at pleasure. On a
close examination, the mouth and eyes can be seen about the fifteenth
day. The eyes first appear on the side of the head, and, as the Fœtus
grows, they move round to their position. In ten days more we see the
future being in form and size like a small ant. At the end of the first
month it has increased to the size of a honey-bee, and the arms begin to
grow—first appearing like small warts on the body. They sprout straight
out, and are then folded together on the breast. At this time the
head is as large as all the rest of the body, and the features can be
distinguished. The legs have not yet appeared, but the lower extremities
are like a tail. At two months the legs and feet appear, the toes being
united similar to frogs’ feet. During the tenth week the eyes show their
lids, the mouth becomes more prominent, and the ears may be seen. The
heart is now fully developed, but as yet contains no blood. The brain
shows its form and substance. The next change brings red blood to the
larger veins and to the heart, and at the end of three months the shape
and form of the future being is nearly perfect, weighing less than three
ounces. The next process of Nature is the thickening of the skin, and so
rapid now is the growth that within one month the Fœtus fully doubles in
weight. During the fourth month the bones begin to ossify, the uterus
rises in the abdomen, and we are then enabled to determine the sex. This
change is what is usually called quickening, and it corresponds with the
time of breaking the shell in birds. At the end of the fifth month the
finger-nails appear, and fine silky hair begins to grow on the head. At
seven months the being is generally perfect, the bones are firm and hard,
and it weighs about three pounds. The intellectual faculties are not
developed, however. The eighth and ninth months merely increase the size
and strength of the child.
Our Engravings show the relative sizes and position of a Fœtus, as it
lies in the Womb, at three several stages of gestation. They are original
drawings from anatomical figures in wax in the New York Anatomical
Museum.
[Illustration: FŒTUS AT THIRTEEN WEEKS.]
[Illustration: FŒTUS AT SIX MONTHS.]
[Illustration: POSITION OF THE CHILD AT NINE MONTHS.]
The child, previous to birth, never takes nutriment in by its mouth, for
that is always firmly closed until after birth. Its food during gestation
is probably derived from the blood of its mother through the umbilical
cord, or navel-string, which likewise supplies its veins and arteries
until the very hour of birth. An artery and two veins pass through this
cord. There is sometimes an impediment in the circulation of new-born
infants, which is called the blue disease, and for which there is no
remedy. In these cases the body is of a leaden blue color, and the child
appears sleepy and inanimate. Such children usually die before they are a
year old, though sometimes they live four or five years.
SEXUAL INDULGENCE.
Most men are of an amative disposition, and after the age of puberty have
frequent desires to indulge in sexual intercourse. Some feel this desire
so overpoweringly that everything else is forgone, all risks are run, and
consequences madly braved, merely for the gratification of a momentary
passion. Females, on the contrary, are seldom troubled with sexual
desires; and among those who risk their reputation and their social
existence in the gratification of illicit love, few are prompted to the
act by the amative feeling. It is the idea that they are loved, and the
wish to impart pleasure to the loved object, that overpowers their own
judgment. When once a man has gained the love of a true female heart, it
lies in his power to use her person at will. Very few of the weaker sex
can withstand the promptings of disinterested affection; but their sexual
passions seldom lead them astray.
In sexual union, the ecstatic point of enjoyment is termed in
medical phrase the Orgasm, and in some men it is so intense that all
consciousness ceases, and a perfect insensibility to everything around
is produced for the moment. The Orgasm is usually followed by a state of
dreamy languor or exhaustion, which induces sleep. In women the Orgasm is
not always experienced, and some females of cold temperament do not know
what it is, though they are often excited, and feel a certain degree of
pleasure. When it does occur in women, it is often even more intense than
in the other sex, causing convulsive motions and involuntary cries. It
does not exhaust the system, as in the male, and the dreamy languor is
more pleasing, and will often continue for an hour or more. It sometimes
happens that a female of amative desires is never satisfied with one
Orgasm, but craves frequent and repeated intercourse, as the indulgence
does not exhaust her as it does her partner. Such a woman, unless she be
possessed of great moral firmness, is apt either to injure the health of
her husband, or to indulge in illicit love. Happily, cases like this are
rare. The male can have but one perfect Orgasm at the same time, because
he must secrete a new supply of Semen before another can take place.
Men do frequently attempt the second, third, and even more frequent
connections within a few hours, but the subsequent ones are spasmodic and
hurtful. Those who value their health, and desire to enjoy true sexual
pleasure, should never attempt these repetitions, as they permanently
injure the organs, and impart to them an unnatural craving for frequent
intercourse. Two or three days should occur between the periods of sexual
indulgence to enable a man to enjoy it in full perfection. The female
Orgasm, not being produced by any secretion, may be enjoyed without
particular injury, though it is sometimes apt to affect the nerves. In
most females it is very difficult to be produced—in others it will occur
during sleep, and be entirely absent while in the act of coition. Orgasms
in the female may therefore be experienced without the least licentious
idea being entertained. This is sometimes the case with a class of
women called “mediums” by the Spiritualists. The same temperaments are
those which can be put in a mesmeric slumber. Women of great devotional
feeling are generally of this class, though not always. Dr. Hollick
tells us of a lady much addicted to mesmeric practices, who wrote to him
her experience. She confessed that whenever she was capable of being
acted upon, mesmerically, the mesmeric state was always preceded by
sexual excitement—often amounting to a perfect Orgasm—and that if this
feeling was not experienced, she could never be mesmerized. Sometimes so
many Orgasms would follow each other that she would become completely
exhausted and faint away. According to her statement, the mesmeric sleep,
or ecstasy, was nothing but the dreamy languor following a sexual Orgasm.
There are some mysteries connected with these peculiarities of the female
system which Science has thus far failed to discover; but new facts come
to light every day, and it is probable we may yet solve them. The sexual
feeling in females is often curious and peculiar, and I have no doubt
that the mind and imagination control it in some unexplained manner. A
case occurred in France where a female enjoyed the feeling to excess with
one man, while with others she could enjoy nothing, though these latter
persons were quite as agreeable and pleasing to her. This fact shows that
there are persons of opposite sexes naturally adapted to each other, and
where such people marry they are generally happy in the marriage state.
Sexual intercourse is no doubt beneficial to health in all fully
developed persons, and in some females it is actually necessary to
preserve their lives. It is a proper stimulant to the nervous system,
and serves as a sort of safety-valve when the vital functions are too
active. The statistics of the world show that married people are longer
lived on the average than single ones, and it is quite certain that
as a general rule they enjoy more perfect health. M. Pidoux, a French
physician who had practiced extensively in the Nunneries, assures us that
almost invariably the Nuns are afflicted with floodings, with an absence
of their monthly turns, and with other uterine diseases, after they reach
a certain age.
The proper time for sexual indulgence is an important consideration,
inasmuch as carelessness in this respect may tend to dyspepsia,
indigestion, and other affections of the stomach. Persons who are
predisposed to such diseases should never have sexual intercourse just
before eating, nor very soon after a full meal. Its peculiar effect on
the stomach is calculated to weaken digestion, particularly on the part
of the male; and many a miserable dyspeptic might trace his unhappiness
to imprudent acts of sexual intercourse. From two to three hours after
or before eating a full meal, is the proper time for this business. Both
the body and the mind should be calm and at perfect rest—no troubles or
bickerings should disturb the perfect harmony of the amorous pair—nor
should the thoughts be allowed to stray away from the matter at issue.
Tristram Shandy tells us that he owed the whole misfortunes of his life
to an idle remark made by his mother at the very moment of his conception!
A full enjoyment of sexual intercourse depends as much upon the proper
time chosen, the condition of the parties, and their mutual sympathies,
as upon the fact that they are really persons of the opposite sex. It
should not be indulged in except when there is a natural desire and a
vigorous impulse. It should be avoided whenever it tends to produce
a depression of spirits, or the least debility. It should never be
indulged in during intoxication, or where the sexual organs of either
party are diseased or out of order. It ought to be entirely abstained
from during six or seven days after the commencement of the female
monthly turn, and for one month after child-birth. It would be better,
for both mother and child, if no sexual intercourse was indulged in
during the whole period of suckling her infant, but as that abstinence
is not to be expected from ordinary men, I advise as little connection
as possible during that time. And should connection with a suckling
mother prematurely bring on her menses, (as it sometimes does,) she must
immediately wean her child.
Female prostitutes never enjoy their sexual connections with
strangers—they are mere passive instruments—while the male only relieves
himself of a superabundance of Semen. Too frequent intercourse is quite
as unnatural; those who practice it rob themselves of more than half the
pleasure they seek. A man in robust health who has refrained from sexual
pleasures, may, it is true, enjoy such intercourse once in twenty-four
hours for several days together; but he could not attain the full
enjoyment from one female. He must then rest. I speak of the highest
degree of sexual pleasures. Many newly married couples give no limit to
their indulgences; and it is to such that I say, you deny yourselves
of the real pleasures of married life. A little philosophy, and some
experiments on the hints given, would render the married state a state of
more refined pleasures than it now presents to a large class of mankind.