Numa Pompilius established the first law, which was called "les regia," and in later times there were many such ordinances.

A full description of these laws is on record.

Life was believed possible after a gestation of six months or over, and, as stated, some famous men were supposed to have been born in this manner.
Francois de Civile, who on great occasions signed himself "trois fois enterre et trois fois par le grace de Dieu ressucite," saw the light of the world by a happy Cesarean operation on his exhumed mother.
Fabricius Hildanus and Boarton report similar instances.

Bourton cites among others the case of an infant who was found living twelve hours after the death of his mother.

Dufour and Mauriceau are two older French medical writers who discuss this subject.