Улисс

           Thegravestproblemsofobstetricsandforensicmedicinewereexaminedwithasmuchanimationasthemostpopularbeliefsonthestateofpregnancysuchastheforbiddingtoagravidwomantostepoveracountrystilelest,byhermovement,thenavelcordshouldstranglehercreatureandtheinjunctionuponherintheeventofayearning,ardentlyandineffectuallyentertained,toplaceherhandagainstthatpartofherpersonwhichlongusagehasconsecratedastheseatofcastigation.Theabnormalitiesofharelip,breastmole,supernumerarydigits,negro’sinkle,strawberrymarkandportwinestainwereallegedbyoneasaprimafacieandnaturalhypotheticalexplanationofthoseswineheaded(thecaseofMadameGrisselSteevenswasnotforgotten)ordoghairedinfantsoccasionallyborn.Thehypothesisofaplasmicmemory,advancedbytheCaledonianenvoyandworthyofthemetaphysicaltraditionsofthelandhestoodfor,envisagedinsuchcasesanarrestofembryonicdevelopmentatsomestageantecedenttothehuman.Anoutlandishdelegatesustainedagainstboththeseviews,withsuchheatasalmostcarriedconviction,thetheoryofcopulationbetweenwomenandthemalesofbrutes,hisauthoritybeinghisownavouchmentinsupportoffablessuchasthatoftheMinotaurwhichthegeniusoftheelegantLatinpoethashandeddowntousinthepagesofhisMetamorphoses.Theimpressionmadebyhiswordswasimmediatebutshortlived.