THEMEMBRANESof theInfant, areTwoin number, the oneexteriour, call’dCHORION; the otherinteriour, AMNION: which are so contiguously joinedoneto theother, that they appear like one and the sameMEMBRANE; and, because they are only separable byArt, as aSilk-Liningfrom aCloth, are sometimes call’d thedouble MEMBRANE.
THEChorionis rough and unequal on theOutside, but smootherwithin; where it closely unites itself to the thinner and transparentAmnion.
THISAmnioncovers thePlacenta, and is fixed to theInsideof theWomb, by itsCircumferenceon all Sides.
THESEMembranescontain theWaters, in which theInfantswims; whichWatersencrease along with theInfant, generating by degrees, and proceeding from themoist Humours, exhal’d (by way ofTranspiration) from the tenderInfant’sporous Body.
THESEWatersare of infinite Service to theInfant, during the time ofMaturation: As they are to bothMotherandChildin the time ofBIRTH; which hereafter will more amply appear. And as in Conception, theseMembranesare form’d before the EMBRYO; being, as they are commonly call’d, theCoats of the Egg: So, in time ofLabour, they always present themselves, with their peculiarWaters, to theORIFICE, before theInfantapproaches.
INCase ofTWINSor moreChildren; each has its properMembranesandWatersapart, in which they are separately wrap’d up.