e full
time is an _abortion_ or _miscarriage_.

In deciding whether any substance expelled from the uterus is really a
foetus or a mole, and therefore the result of conception, or the coat of
the uterus, and unconnected with pregnancy, the examination of the
substances expelled must be carefully made. Moles are blighted foetuses.
An examination of the woman will be necessary, though it is not easy
during the early months of pregnancy, and especially in those who have
borne children, to say whether abortion has taken place or not. The
history must be inquired into; the regular or exceptional use of drugs
to promote menstruation is important, for in the former case no criminal
intent may exist, although pregnancy be present. The state of the
breasts, the hymen, and the os uteri, should all be carefully examined.
Putting a few apparently unimportant questions as to the frequent use of
purgatives, the presence or absence of constipation, will often assist
the diagnosis as showing that the woman has acted in an unusual manner.
Abortion may be procured by the introduction of instruments, by falls,
violent exercise, blows on the abdomen, etc. In the hands of ignorant
persons the use of instruments (sounds, bougies, skewers, etc.) is
attended with great danger. Perforation of the vaginal walls, bladder,
cervix, or uterus, may follow their use. Septic pelvic peritonitis may
ensue, and the woman may lose her life. The person who has employed such
means for inducing abortion is liable to be charged with the crime of
murder. There is no evidence to show that ergot, savin, bitter-apple,
pennyroyal, or any other drug administered internally, will cause a
woman to abort, except when taken in such large doses that actual
poisoning results, with inflammation of the contents of the true
pelvis. In such cases reflex uterine contractions may be set up, and
abortion may follow. Diachylon pills are largely employed to induce
abortion, and very often the woman taking them suffers severely from
lead-poisoning.

XXVI.--INFANTICIDE

Infanticide, or the murder of a new-born child, is not treated as a
specific crime, but is tried by the same rules as in cases of felonious
homicide. The term is applied technically to those cases in which the
mother kills her child at, or soon after, its birth. She is often in
such a condition of mental anxiety as not to be responsible for her
actions. It is usually committed with the object of concealing