De inspiciendo ventre custodiendoque partu
(Concerning the examination of pregnant women, and the precautions to be taken with reference to their delivery.)
1 Ulpianus libro vicesimo quarto ad edictum. Temporibus divorum fratrum cum hoc incidisset, ut maritus quidem praegnatem mulierem diceret, uxor negaret, consulti Valerio Prisciano praetori urbano rescripserunt in haec verba: ‘Novam rem desiderare Rutilius Severus videtur, ut uxori, quae ab eo diverterat et se non esse praegnatem profiteatur, custodem apponat, et ideo nemo mirabitur, si nos quoque novum consilium et remedium suggeramus. igitur si perstat in eadem postulatione, commodissimum est eligi honestissimae feminae domum, in qua Domitia veniat, et ibi tres obstetrices probatae et artis et fidei, quae a te adsumptae fuerint, eam inspiciant. et si quidem vel omnes vel duae renuntiaverint praegnatem videri, tunc persuadendum mulieri erit, ut perinde custodem admittat atque si ipsa hoc desiderasset: quod si enixa non fuerit, sciat maritus ad invidiam existimationemque suam pertinere, ut non immerito possit videri captasse hoc ad aliquam mulieris iniuriam. si autem vel omnes vel plures non esse gravidam renuntiaverint, nulla causa custodiendi erit’. 1Ex hoc rescripto evidentissime apparet senatus consulta de liberis agnoscendis locum non habuisse, si mulier dissimularet se praegnatem vel etiam negaret, nec immerito: partus enim antequam edatur, mulieris portio est vel viscerum. post editum plane partum a muliere iam potest maritus iure suo filium per interdictum desiderare aut exhiberi sibi aut ducere permitti. extra ordinem igitur princeps in causa necessaria subvenit. 2Secundum quod rescriptum evocari mulier ad praetorem poterit et apud eum interrogari, an se putet praegnatem, cogendaque erit respondere. 3Quid ergo, si non responderit aut non veniat ad praetorem? numquid senatus consulti poenam adhibemus, scilicet ut liceat marito non agnoscere? sed finge non esse eo contentum maritum, qui se patrem potius optet quam carere filio velit. cogenda igitur erit remediis praetoris et in ius venire, si venit, respondere: pignoraque eius capienda et distrahenda, si contemnat, vel multis coercenda. 4Quid ergo, si interrogata dixerit se praegnatem? ordo senatus consultis expositus sequetur. quod si negaverit, tunc secundum hoc rescriptum praetor debebit obstetrices adhibere. 5Et notandum, quod non permittitur marito vel mulieri obstetricem adhibere, sed omnes a praetore adhibendae sunt. 6Item praetor domum honestae matronae eligere debet, in qua mulier veniat, ut possit inspici. 7Quid ergo, si inspici se non patiatur vel ad domum non veniat? aeque praetoris auctoritas interveniet. 8Si omnes vel plures renuntiaverint praegnatem non esse, an mulier possit iniuriarum experiri ex hac causa? et magis puto agere eam iniuriarum posse, sic tamen, si iniuriae faciendae causa id maritus desideravit: ceterum si non iniuriae faciendae animo, sed quia iuste credidit vel nimio voto liberorum suscipiendorum ductus est vel ipsa eum illexerat ut crederet, quod constante matrimonio hoc fingebat, aequissimum erit ignosci marito. 9Meminisse autem oportet tempus non esse praestitutum rescripto, quamvis in senatus consultis de liberis agnoscendis triginta dies praestituantur mulieri. quid ergo? semper dicemus marito licere uxorem ad praetorem evocare, an vero et ipsi triginta dies praestituimus? et putem praetorem causa cognita debere maritum et post triginta dies audire. 10De inspiciendo ventre custodiendoque partu sic praetor ait: ‘Si mulier mortuo marito praegnatem se esse dicet, his ad quos ea res pertinebit procuratorive eorum bis in mense denuntiandum curet, ut mittant, si velint, quae ventrem inspicient. mittantur autem mulieres liberae dumtaxat quinque haeque simul omnes inspiciant, dum ne qua earum dum inspicit invita muliere ventrem tangat. mulier in domu honestissimae feminae pariat, quam ego constituam. mulier ante dies triginta, quam parituram se putat, denuntiet his ad quos ea res pertinet procuratoribusve eorum, ut mittant, si velint, qui ventrem custodiant. in quo conclavi mulier paritura erit, ibi ne plures aditus sint quam unus: si erunt, ex utraque parte tabulis praefigantur. ante ostium eius conclavis liberi tres et tres liberae cum binis comitibus custodiant. quotienscumque ea mulier in id conclave aliudve quod sive in balineum ibit, custodes, si volent, id ante prospiciant et eos qui introierint excutiant. custodes, qui ante conclave positi erunt, si volunt, omnes qui conclave aut domum introierint excutiant. mulier cum parturire incipiat, his ad quos ea res pertinet procuratoribusve eorum denuntiet, ut mittant, quibus praesentibus pariat. mittantur mulieres liberae dumtaxat quinque, ita ut praeter obstetrices duas in eo conclavi ne plures mulieres liberae sint quam decem, ancillae quam sex. hae quae intus futurae erunt excutiantur omnes in eo conclavi, ne qua praegnas sit. tria lumina ne minus ibi sint’, scilicet quia tenebrae ad subiciendum aptiores sunt. ‘quod natum erit, his ad quos ea res pertinet procuratoribusve eorum, si inspicere volent, ostendatur. apud eum educatur, apud quem parens iusserit. si autem nihil parens iusserit aut is, apud quem voluerit educari, curam non recipiet: apud quem educetur, causa cognita constituam. is apud quem educabitur quod natum erit, quoad trium mensum sit, bis in mense, ex eo tempore quoad sex mensum sit, semel in mense, a sex mensibus quoad anniculus fiat, alternis mensibus, ab anniculo quoad fari possit, semel in sex mensibus ubi volet ostendat. si cui ventrem inspici custodirive adesse partui licitum non erit factumve quid erit, quo minus ea ita fiant, uti supra comprehensum est: ei quod natum erit possessionem causa cognita non dabo. sive quod natum erit, ut supra cautum est, inspici non licuerit, quas utique actiones me daturum polliceor his quibus ex edicto meo bonorum possessio data sit, eas, si mihi iusta causa videbitur esse, ei non dabo.’ 11Quamvis sit manifestissimum edictum praetoris, attamen non est neglegenda interpretatio eius. 12Denuntiare igitur mulierem oportet his scilicet, quorum interest partum non edi, vel totam habituris hereditatem vel partem eius sive ab intestato sive ex testamento. 13Sed et si servus heres institutus fuerit, si nemo natus sit, Aristo scribit, huic quoque servo quamvis non omnia, quaedam tamen circa partum custodiendum arbitrio praetoris esse concedenda. quam sententiam puto veram: publice enim interest partus non subici, ut ordinum dignitas familiarumque salva sit: ideoque etiam servus iste, cum sit in spe constitutus successionis, qualisqualis sit, debet audiri rem et publicam et suam gerens. 14Denuntiari autem oportet his, quos proxima spes successionis contingit, ut puta primo gradu heredi instituto (non etiam substituto) et, si intestatus pater familias sit, ei qui primum locum ab intestato tenet: si vero plures sint simul successuri, omnibus denuntiandum est. 15Quod autem praetor ait causa cognita se possessionem non daturum vel actiones denegaturum, eo pertinet, ut, si per rusticitatem aliquid fuerit omissum ex his quae praetor servari voluit, non obsit partui. quale est enim, si quid ex his, quae leviter observanda praetor edixit, non sit factum, partui denegari bonorum possessionem: sed mos regionis inspiciendus est, et secundum eum et observari ventrem et partum et infantem oportet.
1 Ulpianus, On the Edict, Book XXIV. In the time of the Divine Brothers a husband appeared who stated that his wife was pregnant, but she denied it, and the Emperors having been consulted on the subject, addressed a Rescript to Valerius Priscianus, the Urban Prætor, in the following terms. “Rutilius Severus seems to ask for something extraordinary in applying for a custodian for his wife, who is divorced from him, and who asserts that she is not pregnant. Therefore, no one will be surprised if We also suggest a new plan and a remedy. If the husband persists in his demand, it will be most convenient for the house of a respectable woman to be chosen into which Domitia may go, and that three midwives, experienced in their profession and trustworthy, after having been selected by you, shall examine her. And if all of them, or only two, announce that she seems to be pregnant, then the woman must be persuaded to receive a custodian, just as if she herself had requested it. If she does not bring forth a child, her husband will know that he will incur dishonor, and that his reputation will be involved, and he will not unreasonably be held to have contrived this in order to injure his wife. If, however, all of said women, or the majority of them, declare that the woman is not pregnant, there will be no reason for the appointment of a custodian.” 1It is perfectly evident from this rescript that the Decrees of the Senate relating to the recognition of children will not apply, if the woman pretended that she was pregnant, or even denied that this was the case. Nor is this unreasonable, for the child is a part of the woman, or of her entrails, before it is born. After it is born, however, it is clear that the husband can, in accordance with his rights, by means of an interdict, demand that the child shall be produced in his presence, or that he shall be permitted by an extraordinary proceeding to remove it. Therefore the Emperor comes to his relief when it is necessary. 2In accordance with this rescript, a woman may be summoned before the Prætor and, having been interrogated as to whether she believes that she is pregnant, can be compelled to answer. 3What must be done in case she should not answer, or should not appear before the Prætor? Shall we apply the penalty fixed by the Decree of the Senate, namely, that the husband shall have the right not to acknowledge the child? But suppose that the husband is not content with this, and that he should prefer to be a father rather than be deprived of his son? Then the woman shall be compelled by the authority of the Prætor to come into court, and if she does come, to answer; and if she refuses, her property shall be taken in execution, and sold, or she shall be punished by a fine. 4But what if, having been interrogated, she should say that she is pregnant? The course prescribed by the Decree of the Senate must then be followed. If, however, she should deny that she is pregnant, then, in accordance with this rescript, the Prætor must summon midwives. 5It should be noted that neither the husband nor the wife is permitted to summon midwives, but they must all be summoned by the Prætor. 6The Prætor also must select the house of the respectable matron to which the woman must go, in order that she may be examined. 7What must be done if the woman will not permit herself to be examined, or refuses to go to the house? Under these circumstances, the authority of the Prætor must also be invoked. 8If all, or a majority of the midwives, declare that the woman is not pregnant, can she bring an action on the ground of injury committed? I think that the better opinion is, that she can bring such an action, provided, however, that her husband, by taking this course, desired to cause her injury. But if he had no intention to injure her, but, indeed, actually believed that she was pregnant, having been influenced by an extreme desire to have children, or because she herself induced him to think so, having during marriage pretended that this was the case, it will be perfectly just for the husband to be excused. 9Moreover, it should be remembered that no time has been fixed by the rescript, although in the Decrees of the Senate relating to the recognition of children, the term of thirty days was established for the woman to announce her pregnancy. What then should be done? Shall we say that the husband can always summon his wife before the Prætor or shall we appoint thirty days for him to do so? I think that, where proper cause is shown, the Prætor should also hear the husband after thirty days have elapsed. 10With reference to the examination of a pregnant woman, and the precautions to be taken at the time of delivery, the Prætor says: “If a woman, after the death of her husband, declares that she is pregnant, she must take care to notify the parties interested or their agent, twice within the month subsequent to his death, so that they may send persons to examine her, if they wish to do so. Free women to the number of five shall be sent, and all of them shall make the examination at one time, but none, while they are making the examination, shall touch the belly of the woman without her consent. The woman shall be delivered in the house of a respectable matron, whom I will appoint. Thirty days before she expects to be confined, she shall notify the parties interested or their agents to send persons to be present at her delivery, if they should desire to do so. There shall only be one entrance to the room where the woman is to be delivered and if there are more, they shall be closed by means of boards. Before the door of this room, three freemen and three freewomen, together with two companions, shall keep watch. Every time that the said woman enters this room, or any other, or goes to the bath, the custodians can previously make an examination of it, if they wish to do so, and also search any parties who may enter therein. The custodians who are placed in front of the room may search all persons who enter it or the house, if they so desire. When the woman begins to bring forth her child, she must notify all the parties interested, or their agents, in order that they may send persons to be present at her delivery. Freewomen to the number of five shall be sent, so that in addition to two midwives there shall not be present in the said room more than ten freewomen, nor more than six female slaves. All those who are to be present in the room shall be searched, for fear one of them may be pregnant. There shall not be less than three lights in said room, for the reason that darkness is better adapted for the substitution of a child. When the child is born, it shall be shown to the parties interested, or to their agents, if they desire to inspect it. It shall be brought up by whomever its father shall designate. If the father gives no directions in this respect, or the person by whom he desires it to be brought up will not take charge of it, this shall be done by someone appointed by me, after proper cause is shown. The person by whom the child is to be reared shall produce it, after it has reached the age of three months, twice every month until it is six months old; and then once a month, and from the time it is six months old until it has attained the age of a year, it shall be produced every other month; and after it is a year old, until it can speak, he shall exhibit it once every six months, wherever he wishes to do so. If the parties interested are not permitted to examine the woman, and to watch her, or to be present at her delivery, and anything is done to prevent what is set forth above, I will not grant permission for the possession of the child after I have taken cognizance of the case, nor will I do so where the child is not allowed to be examined, as is hereinbefore provided. Where it seems to me that a good reason exists, I will not grant those actions which I promise to those to whom the possession of property has been given in accordance with my Edict.” 11Although the Edict of the Prætor is perfectly clear, still its interpretation should not be neglected. 12Hence, the woman should give notice to the parties interested, that is to say, to those whose interest it is that she should have no children, or to those who are entitled to the entire estate or a part of the same, whether as heirs at law, or under a will. 13If, however, a slave has been appointed heir, and there are no children; Aristo states that in this case it is in the power of the Prætor to permit him to take not all, but some of the precautions with reference to the delivery. I think that this opinion is correct. For it is to the interest of the public that there should be no substitution of a child, in order that the honor of persons of rank, as well as that of families, may be preserved. Therefore, where a slave of this kind has been appointed with the expectation of the succession, he should be heard; no matter what his standing is, since he is acting both in the public interest and his own. 14Moreover, those also must be notified who are next in the line of succession; as, for instance, the heir appointed in the first degree, but not one who has been substituted; and if the head of the family died intestate, those should be notified who hold the first place in the line of succession. Where, however, there are several who have the right to succeed at the same time, all of them should be notified. 15Again, where the Prætor says that he will not grant possession after having taken cognizance of the case, or that he will refuse certain actions, this has reference to a case where, through ignorance, some provision has been neglected of those which the Prætor wished to be observed; but this does not prejudice the rights of the child. For what kind of a rule would it be if one of the trifling formalities which the Prætor declares must be observed should not be carried out, and the possession of the property be refused to the child? The custom of the neighborhood must be followed, and in accordance with it the woman must be examined, and the delivery and the child watched.
2 Iulianus libro vicesimo quarto digestorum. Edictum de custodiendo partu derogatorium est eius, quod ad Carboniani decreti exemplum comparatum est. 1Sed hoc aliquando remittere praetor debet, si non malitia, sed imperitia mulieris factum fuerit, ne venter inspiceretur aut partus custodiretur.
2 Julianus, Digest, Book XXIV. The Edict having reference to the inspection of pregnant women conflicts with the one granted in accordance with the provisions of the Carbonian Decree. 1Sometimes, however, the Prætor should dispense with these formalities, where the examination of the woman does not take place, or her delivery is not watched, and this occurs not through her malice but through her ignorance.
3 Paulus libro quarto decimo ad Plautium. Qui ventri substitutus est vel institutus, si ventrem servare velit, audiendus est.
3 Paulus, On Plautius, Book XIV. Where anyone is substituted for an unborn child, or is appointed heir in case there are no children, and he wishes to have the woman watched, he should be heard.
4 Scaevola libro vicesimo digestorum. Is a quo, si sine liberis decessisset, quidquid ad eum ex bonis pervenisset, sorori fideicommissum relictum erat, decessit postuma herede instituta et substitutis aliis: quaesitum est, cum uxor defuncti praegnatem se dicat, an sorori procuratorive eius secundum formam edicti ventrem inspicere et partum custodire permittendum sit. respondi in eiusmodi specie, de qua quaereretur, posse videri ad eius, cui fideicommissum datum esset, sollicitudinem perspiciendum idque causa cognita statuendum.
4 Scævola, Digest, Book XX. A certain man by whom it was provided that, if he died without issue, whatever came into his hands should be left in charge of his sister as trustee, died after having appointed a posthumous heir, to whom he substituted others. The question arose whether the sister or her agent should be permitted to examine the woman, and watch over her delivery, in accordance with the terms of the Edict, since the wife of the deceased declared herself to be pregnant. I answered that in a case of the kind with reference to which the inquiry was made, it could be held that the solicitude manifested by the person charged with the trust ought to be respected, and that the request should be granted, if proper cause was shown.