Another case is that of a
pregnant woman who had a desire for hot and pungent articles of
food, and who in a short time devoured a pound of pepper.
Scheidemantel cites a case in which the perverted appetite,
originating in pregnancy, became permanent, but this is not the
experience of most observers. The pregnant wife of a farmer in
Hassfort-on-the-Main ate the excrement of her husband.
Many instances could be quoted, some in which extreme cases of
polydipsia and bulimia developed; these can be readily attributed
to the increased call for liquids and food. Other cases of
diverse new emotions can be recalled, such as lasciviousness,
dirty habits, perverted thoughts, and, on the other hand, extreme
piety, chastity, and purity of the mind. Some of the best-natured
women are when pregnant extremely cross and irritable and many
perversions of disposition are commonly noticed in pregnancy.
There is often a longing for a particular kind of food or dish
for which no noticeable desire had been displayed before.
Maternal Impressions.--Another curious fact associated with
pregnancy is the apparent influence of the emotions of the mother
on the child in utero. Every one knows of the popular explanation
of many birth-marks, their supposed resemblance to some animal or
object seen by the mother during pregnancy, etc.
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