Key Arguments

• He notes a typical sensation associated with conception: "And when conception has taken place, there is apt to be a sort of feeling in the region of the flanks,"
• He adds that these regions can swell slightly and that this is especially evident in thin individuals: "which in some cases quickly swell up a little, especially in thin persons, and also in the groin."

Source Quotes

The first appearance of milk in the breasts is scant in quantity and so to speak cobwebby or interspersed with little threads. And when conception has taken place, there is apt to be a sort of feeling in the region of the flanks, which in some cases quickly swell up a little, especially in thin persons, and also in the groin. In the case of male children the first movement usually occurs on the right-hand side of the womb and about the fortieth day, but if the child be a female then on the left-hand side and about the ninetieth day.

Key Concepts

• when conception has taken place, there is apt to be a sort of feeling in the region of the flanks, which in some cases quickly swell up a little, especially in thin persons, and also in the groin.

Context

Following his discussion of menstruation and milk in Book VII, section 3, Aristotle briefly lists somatic signs by which conception and early gestation can be recognized.