This, however, is to be understood of the child
whilst it is in the womb and not yet perfectly formed, for Nature has
often made a female child, and it has remained so for a month or two, in
its mother's womb; but afterwards the heat greatly increasing in the
genital organs, they have protruded and the child has become a male, but
nevertheless retained some things which do not befit the masculine sex,
such as female gestures and movements, a high voice, and a more
effeminate temper than is usual with men; whilst, on the other hand, the
genitals have become inverted through cold humours, but yet the person
retained a masculine air, both in voice and gesture. Now, though both
these opinions are supported by several reasons, yet I think the latter
are nearer the truth, for there is not that vast difference between the
genitals of the two sexes as Pliny asserts; for a woman has, in a way,
the same _pudenda_ as a man, though they do not appear outwardly, but
are inverted for the convenience of generation; one being solid and the
other porous, and that the principal reason for changing sexes is, and
must be attributed to heat or cold, which operates according to its
greater or lesser force.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Attributed to George IV (Translator).
[2] A young man was once tried at Rutland Assizes for violating a
virgin, and after close questioning, the girl swearing positively in the
matter, and naming the time, place and manner of the action, it was
resolved that she should be examined by a skilful surgeon and two
midwives, who were to report on oath, which they did, and declared that
the membranes were intact and unlacerated, and that, in their opinion,
her body had not been penetrated.
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