Graphic illustrations of abortion and the diseases of menstruation / Consisting of Twelve Plates from Drawings Engraved on Stone, and Coloured by Mr. J. Perry, and Two Copper-plates from the Philosophical Transactions, Coloured by the Same Artist. the Whole Representing Forty-five Specimens of Aborted Ova and Adventitious Productions of the Uterus, With Preliminary Observations, Explanations of the Figures and Remarks, Anatomical and Physiological.

by A. B. Granville

REMARKS.

That some of the involucra here enumerated are the produce of inflammation and of diffused blood in consequence of it, I entertain no doubt. The cake of blood between two of the involucra, the variously shaped points of solid matter deposited in that involucrum, which is actually passing from a transparent into a thickened or opaque state, demonstrate in my mind the above position, and prove, moreover, the vascularity of the secreting or inner involucrum of the human Ovum. Again, look at the great expansion of the Ovum and amnionic cavity compared to the size of the fœtus. Could the great quantity of fluid contained in such a cavity be otherwise than the result of inflammation of secreting vascular membranes?

Another beautiful illustration of the amnio-chorionitis producing thickening of those membranes, in an Ovum which contained a well-formed fœtus at four months’ growth, and in which the placenta is also condensed as if it had been artificially compressed, was in my possession some years ago, and was accurately sketched and coloured by Mr. Perry before it was pilfered from my collection. The Ovum came away entire, having simply the two inner membranes and the placenta,—from the edges of the latter hung fragments of a thicker envelope—and from the external of the two pellucid membranes hung some of those peculiar filiform vessels which are seen on the chorion on Ova of very recent formation. In this specimen the amnion was in some parts quite fleshy. I attended the patient, who considered herself five months and a half gone with child.

I have likewise seen another striking case of amnio-chorionitis, in a specimen marked F 84, in the museum of St. George’s Hospital, midwifery division, which has produced thickening of the transparent membranes and diffusion of blood throughout the Ovum, to the degree that even after long maceration the red tint prevails throughout the entire structure.

Plate 7
Joseph Perry del et Lithog.             Printed by C. Hullmandel.
D^r. Granville on Abortion
and the Diseases of Menstruation

PLATE VII.
SPECIMEN OF A MISCARRIAGE AT FIVE MONTHS.

Figura unica. Ovum fœtiferum optimè conditum, subitò ab amnio-chorionitide interfectum.

I had an opportunity of satisfying myself most completely as to the state and condition of this Ovum, it having been aborted at more than four months and three weeks, according to the lady’s reckoning, while I was in attendance upon her in consequence of considerable flooding, which had been going on for some days, and had preceded its expulsion. The Ovum came away entire; and through that part of its envelopes which were transparent, the fœtus and the liquor amnii appeared of a deep bluish red. The hemorrhage ceased almost immediately after the ejection of the Ovum. The case occurred in the spring of 1828. The lady had been ill from inflammation in the chest, with cough and other symptoms of pleurisy.

I carefully dissected and examined the Ovum, taking down the various appearances as they presented themselves to view; and having requested the immediate attendance of Mr. Perry, it was sketched and coloured without loss of time, in order to avoid any misrepresentation of parts or colouring.