e heroic pater familias.

Interesting as are all the anomalies of conception, none are more so
than those of unconscious impregnation; and some well-authenticated
cases can be mentioned. Instances of violation in sleep, with
subsequent pregnancy as a result, have been reported in the last
century by Valentini, Genselius, and Schurig. Reports by modern
authorities seem to be quite scarce, though there are several cases on
record of rape during anesthesia, followed by impregnation. Capuron
relates a curious instance of a woman who was raped during lethargy,
and who subsequently became pregnant, though her condition was not
ascertained until the fourth month, the peculiar abdominal sensation
exciting suspicion of the true nature of the case, which had previously
been thought impossible.

There is a record of a case of a young girl of great moral purity who
became pregnant without the slightest knowledge of the source;
although, it might be remarked, such cases must be taken "cum grano
salis." Cases of conception without the slightest sexual desire or
pleasure, either from fright, as in rape, or naturally deficient
constitution, have been recorded; as well as conception during
intoxication and in a hypnotic trance, which latter has recently
assumed a much mooted legal aspect. As far back as 1680, Duverney
speaks of conception without the slightest sense of desire or pleasure
on the part of the female.

Conception with Deficient Organs.--Having spoken of conception with
some obstructive interference, conception with some natural or acquired
deficiency of the functional, organic, or genital apparatus must be
considered. It is a well-known fact that women exhibiting rudimentary
development of the uterus or vagina are still liable to become
pregnant, and many such cases have been recorded; but the most peculiar
cases are those in which pregnancy has appeared after removal of some
of the sexual apparatus.

Pregnancy going to term with a successful delivery frequently follows
the performance of ovariotomy with astonishing rapidity. Olier cites
an instance of ovariotomy with a pregnancy of twins three months
afterward, and accouchement at term of two well-developed boys.
Polaillon speaks of a pregnancy consecutive to ovariotomy, the
accouchement being normal at term. Crouch reports a case of successful
parturition in a patient who had previously undergone ovariotomy by a
large incision. Parsons mentions a case of twin preg