(From concipio, to conceive). Conception may be perhaps defined the first animation of the ovum, at the moment when it escapes from the ovarium, passing through the Fallopian tube to the uterus. The definition, which is undoubtedly connected with a theory, will be further illustrated under the article Generation, q. v.; but it is sufficiently supported by the weight of evidence. It is only necessary to observe in this place, that the ovum is very probably a part of the mother's system; that it has not life while in the ovarium, and that in every part of the progress pointed out, a living full grown foetus has been found.

But, however secretly conception is effected, its symptoms are soon conspicuous. These consist in a preternatural irritability of the whole system, particularly of the stomach. Vomiting frequently occurs, after a few weeks, in the morning, and often incessant through the day. For some months nothing is seemingly retained in the stomach, and yet the child grows, though the mother is often greatly reduced. The whole nervous system is equally disturbed, and fancies the most strange and incoherent often agitate the mind. See Pregnancy.

See Malpighius, De Graaf, Harvey, and Hamilton's Outlines.