Recent
statistics supplied by the Boards of Health of New York and
Philadelphia place the frequency of twin births in these cities
at 1 in every 120 births, while in Bohemia twins occur once in
about 60 births, a proportion just twice as great. Of 150,000
twin pregnancies studied by Veit, in one-third both children were
boys; in slightly less than one-third both were girls; in the
remaining third both sexes were represented.
Authentic records of 5 and 6 at a birth are extremely rare and
infinitesimal in proportion. The reputed births in excess of 6
must be looked on with suspicion, and, in fact, in the great
majority of reports are apochryphal.
The examples of multiple births of a single pregnancy will be
taken up under their respective numbers, several examples of each
being given, together with the authorities. Many twin and triplet
brothers have figured prominently in history, and, in fact, they
seem especially favored. The instance of the Horatii and the
Curatii, and their famous battle, on which hung the fate of Rome
and Alba, is familiar to every one, their strength and wisdom
being legendary with the Romans.
Twins and triplets, being quite common, will not be considered
here, although there are 2 cases of interest of the latter that
deserve citation.
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