Graphic Illustrations of Abortion and the Diseases of Menstruation Consisting of Twelve Plates from Drawings Engraved on Stone

The ultimate purpose of nature, in associating the two sexes in the human species, is to bring to maturity and produce, in a fit state to live and procreate, a constant succession of individuals, that shall perpetuate the species to the end of time.

This object is invariably accomplished by one uniform series of laws and phenomena, which have been studiously inquired into, accounted for, and, in most instances, explained in a satisfactory manner, amounting almost to demonstration.

The study of the function of reproduction, in all the other classes of animals, affords no other nor any dissimilar evidence. On the contrary, both by comparison and analogy, the study in question serves to confirm us in the notion, that Man differs in nought, in this respect, from the animated beings placed below him in the scale of creation. One same primary intention is manifest in their sexual distinctions; the means to ensure the ultimate purpose—their perpetuation—are the same; the same laws and the same phenomena mark the appearance, the development, and the final production of successive generations of individuals.

Any deviation from those laws—any violent change in those phenomena—and, still more so, any impediment to the accomplishment of the ultimate purpose of Nature, is a defeat of her intention.

Such a deviation, change, or impediment may occur at any time previously to the period established for the appearance of a new and perfect being. If it occur at such a time as shall be incompatible with the maturation, and consequently with the life of the new creature, or even with its maturation alone, (although tokens of life be observed at the time in question,) a MISCARRIAGE is said, in common parlance, to have taken place; for Nature has miscarried in her undertaking: she has been foiled in her expectations.

In the reproduction of the human species, such an event might justly be considered to have occurred, if, at any time before the completion of the natural period of gestation, the fœtus be expelled, whether dead or alive. But as in many instances, notwithstanding its premature expulsion, the fœtus has grown and has continued to live its extra-uterine life, in spite of the want of maturity, (a case known to have occurred even so early as between the sixth and the seventh month,) the expression, before mentioned, (5) is not applied to any untimely expulsion of the fœtus that may take place later than that period—at which, and after which, and till the completion of the ninth month of gestation, such an expulsion would be called a premature labour. The distinction, however, is more specious than useful: it is an offering to social etiquette, rather than to science.

The premature expulsion of the produce of conception before the seventh month, has also received the name of ABORTION. This denomination has been generally adopted, and is used by the writers of every civilized nation, ancient or modern, according to their respective languages. It is that which has been employed in the following explanations of figures taken from nature, which are intended to exhibit several examples of abortion in the human species.

The study of abortion, in this point of view, (7) is an infinite source of interest, whether considered in reference to science and the important question of generation, or simply in reference to medical practice. On the continent of Europe, and even in the States of America, but more particularly in Germany, the subject, under its two-fold aspect, has engaged the serious attention of some of the most learned philosophers and most skilful practitioners. I know of no other professed writer on the same subject, besides Burns, in this country. His work on abortion is brief, and more valuable for the practical suggestions it contains, than for any luminous or accurate view of the various scientific points connected with that subject. But like every thing which proceeds from the hands of that able practitioner, the performance is respectable.

It is impossible, thoroughly and accurately, to comprehend the mode in which abortion takes place, without being previously acquainted with the origin, formation, progress, and metamorphoses of the fœtus, and its connection with the mother. On all these points, we have, until lately, been in the habit of professing the same articles of belief as our predecessors: we have repeated what we heard them say, or what we read in their writings; and many, both here and elsewhere, repeat still the antiquated theories respecting conception and the structure of the human ovum, which they have learned on the obstetrical benches.

The great advancement—the great and forward strides which physiology has made in France, as well as in Germany, have contributed to explode those antiquated theories. Acute and indefatigable anatomists have been busy watching Nature in all her movements, from the first moment of her calling the rudiments of a human embryo into existence, until her magnificent work has been completed by the production of a new, life-gifted, individual of the species. They have called to their aid the much improved art of microscopical observation, and have thereby succeeded in almost tracing the very earliest instant of embryonic existence. The register of their observations constitutes the biography of the human fœtus.