And
thus much for the errors of rash and inconsiderate marriages.
* * * * *
CHAPTER VIII
_The Opinion of the Learned concerning Children conceived and born
within Seven Months; with Arguments upon the Subject to prevent
Suspicion of Incontinency, and bitter Contest on that Account. To
which are added Rules to Know the Disposition of Man's Body by the
Genital Parts._
Many bitter quarrels happen between men and their wives upon the man's
supposition that the child comes too soon, and by consequence, that he
could not be the father; whereas, it is the want of understanding the
secrets of nature which brings the man into that error; and which, had
he known, might have cured him of his suspicion and jealousy.
To remove which, I shall endeavour to prove, that it is possible, and
has been frequently known, that children have been born at seven months.
Paul, the Counsel, has this passage in the 19th Book of Pleadings, viz.:
"It is now a received truth, that a perfect child may be born in the
seventh month, by the authority of the learned Hippocrates; and
therefore, we must believe that a child born at the end of the seventh
month in lawful matrimony may be lawfully begotten."
Galen is of opinion that there is no certain time set for the bearing of
children; and that from Pliny's authority, who makes mention of a woman
that went thirteen months with child; but as to what concerns the
seventh month, a learned author says, "I know several married people in
Holland that had twins born in the seventh month, who lived to old age,
having lusty bodies and lively minds.
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