XXX Viability of Children
A child may be born alive, but may not be viable, by which is meant that it is not endowed with a capacity of maintaining its life. Speaking generally, 180 days represents the lowest limit at which a child is viable, but prolonged survival under these circumstances is the exception. Many cases, however, have been recorded in which children born at six months have been reared. The signs of immaturity and maturity may be thus tabulated:
| Immaturity. | Maturity. | |
| Centre of body high; head disproportionate in size; membrana pupillaris present; testicles undescended; deep red colour of parts of generation; intense red colour, mottled appearance, and downy covering, of skin; nails not formed; feeble movements; inability to suck; necessity for artificial heat; almost unbroken sleep; rare and imperfect discharges of urine and meconium; closed state of mouth, eyelids, and nostrils. | Strong movements and cries as soon as born; body clear, red colour, coated with sebaceous matter; mouth, nostrils, eyelids, and ears, open; skull somewhat firm, and fontanelles not far apart; hair, eyebrows, and nails, perfectly developed; testicles descended; free discharge of urine and meconium; power of suction, indicated by seizure on the nipple or a finger placed in the mouth. |