IN a Word, the _Latter_ of these tragical _Events_ I shall refer to SECT. V. _Chap._ last. But the _Former_ leads me more immediately to consider it in the proper Method of my Discourse.
WOMEN _miscarry_ so frequently, that if any curious Persons will diligently observe and examine that _Matter_, they will find the Number of MISCARRIAGES to exceed _That_ of _timely_ BIRTHS: Wherefore I have reason to think, that this _Head_ deserves to be handled more at large, and to be more particularly insisted upon, in the following manner.
THE _Modern Practisers_ in _MIDWIFERY_, distinguish MISCARRIAGES, by _four_ different _Appellations_; according to the _four_ different _Times_ of the _Constitution_ of the _CONCEPTION_. viz.
A MISCARRIAGE happening in the Time of _Spumification_, is call’d an _Effluxion of the GENITURA_: That which happeneth in the _Vegetation_, or Time of _Ramification_, or (as some will have it) before the 40th _Day_, is call’d a _Deperdition_ of the EMBRYO: _That_ which falls out in the _sensitive_ Progression, or Time of _Carnification_, or (as others will have it) before the _90th Day_ from _CONCEPTION_, they call an _Abortion_ of the FOETUS. But what so happens afterwards preceding the _7th Month_, is properly call’d an entire _Abortion_ of the INFANT.
HOWEVER, _Others_ will have a _fifth Distinction_ made; namely, what so happens in the 7th, 8th, and preceding the 20th Day of the 9th _Month_, to be call’d an untimely _BIRTH_; because tho’ born with _Life_, they alledge it to be very seldom, or never really _Vital_, or likely to _Live_: Upon which I shall, in good Time, introduce my own _Sentiment_ in the subsequent Chapters of this _Section_.
NOTWITHSTANDING, this _Definition_ signifies but little to the Purpose; let the _MISCARRIAGE_ happen when it will, and under whatsoever _Name_ or _Denomination_, It is nothing else in general, than an untimely _Exclusion_ of an imperfect and immature BIRTH; which unhappy _Accident_ may proceed from a vast Variety of _Causes_, stimulating NATURE to such a violent _Expulsion_.
IN treating therefore of this _Accidental BIRTH_, I shall make use of none of those _Distinctions_; but rather (to prevent Mistakes) shall call all its several SPECIES, of whatsoever _Time_, by the general (and most common) Name of _ABORTION_.