There is another physiological fact which we have overlooked—it is this: That the uterine decidua is always pervious at the uterine orifices of the fallopian tubes, as well as over the internal orifice of the cervix uteri. The error thus signalized has arisen from not knowing that the ovulum comes from the ovarium with a cortical membrane over the shaggy chorion. It is curious to see how, even among some of the most skilful of the modern physiologists, their ignorance of the existence of a cortex ovi has misled them in their respective descriptions of the decidua or uterine lining. Carus, for example, has asserted, that the decidua uteri had an opening over the internal orifice of its cervix. Velpeau and Breschet have denied this to be the fact, and consider the decidua to be a complete sac, to which they have ascribed the functions of a serous membrane. Professor Heusinger confirms the opinion of the two French authors, but denies that the decidua is a serous membrane. The truth lies between: Carus described the real decidua, which has three apertures; while Breschet, Velpeau, and Heusinger evidently refer to the cortex ovi which has no aperture whatever, when the ovulum enters the cavity of the womb. Well might Meckel exclaim, “il n’est pas très facile d’expliquer le mode de formation de la caduque reflechie.” (See specimen 73, 75, 76, 87, Museum of Sir Charles Clarke.)
[4]. It is impossible to desire a stronger or a more beautiful illustration of the modern theory of fecundation, than we find in the preparation here alluded to. It is the impregnated uterus (between two and three months) of a female who died of hydrophobia. Both the ovaria are laid open. In the left there are no appearances, beyond the Vesiculæ Graafianæ hardened by the alcohol: but in the right, namely, the ovarium of that side on which it is supposed that the fecundated Ovulum entered the womb, (from the circumstance of the placenta being implanted in that quarter,) we find not only a scar still red on the surface of the ovarium, but corresponding with it, and beneath it, in the thickness of the ovarium, a large shallow depression or hollow from which the Ovulum had escaped, and which is beginning to fill with the substance that is to constitute the corpus luteum destined to stop up the gap in the ovarium.
[5]. Meckel, with many others, entertain still the opinion that the corpus luteum precedes fecundation—but instead of supposing with Sir E. Home that it generates an Ovulum, the physiologist of Halle imagines that, like a testis, it serves to secrete a generating liquor—the semen feminæ. This theory is demolished by Boer’s, Plagge’s, and Messrs. Prevost and Dumas’s positive observations.
[6]. This disparity has not been noticed before by writers. Like many other circumstances, it militates, not a little, against the theory of the decidua reflexa.
[7]. Dr. Pockels calls this the Decidua—but in good truth it is the Cortex Ovi—for this good reason, that at so early a period, and even as late as the end of the first six weeks, the Decidua is many times larger in capacity than the ovulum, and is never globular like the latter. Besides, when Ovula of such early periods are thrown out, the decidua remains behind, and is ejected in its triangular shape, a little while, and sometimes even a day, after. In other respects, Dr. Pockels confirms Boer’s more precise description of the “Structure of the Ovum.”
[8]. The whole of the English physiologists, writers on midwifery, and lecturers, whether ancient or modern, are entirely silent on this important stage of embryonic life. They have talked rather loosely on the subject without the species of life which he must suppose the embryo to enjoy. He tells us, that even at the end of three weeks the Ovum is not found in the uterus, but how it exists during that period, wherever it may be, he has not even alluded to a single reference to facts or anatomical remarks of their own. Burns, in his work on abortion, never once alludes to
[9]. See a very interesting paper on the Structure of the Human Placenta, by T. Radford, Surgeon, &c. Manchester, 1832.
[10]. I shall submit to the Profession these curious and interesting experiments very shortly.
[11]. Autenrieth, in his “Supplementa ad Historiam Embryonis Humani”, has given the dimensions of the embryo and fœtus from a week to the 126th day of growth, with a description of the several parts as they appear at each period. From these he has drawn several conclusions respecting the growth of the human fœtus which have been generally adopted. Soemmering, in his “Icones Embryonum Humanorum,” has also given the dimensions of the human fœtus, from the earliest period he has seen it to its full maturity, with plates.
[12]. “Caput nutans per omne tempus quo in Ovo continetur.” And again,—“Quò junior embryo, eo major est volumen capitis.” (Soemmering.)