In Tokology, technical terms have been avoided as much as possible. For the few used the reader will find helpful hints in the Glossary, [page 354]. If possible, the few remedies prescribed in Tokology should be procured at a Homœopathic Pharmacy, or of a Homœopathic Physician. They are, however, sometimes found already prepared in a drug store.
CHAPTER II.
CONCEPTION—FETAL DEVELOPMENT.
The reproductive apparatus of woman consists essentially of ovaries, oviducts, uterus, vagina and mammary glands.
The ovaries (Plates II and VI) are two almond-shaped bodies, situated about two and one-half inches distant on either side of the uterus. They are inclosed in the broad ligaments and suspended by a thread-like cord from the womb, also attached to the outer extremities of the oviducts. They consist of a stroma in which vesicles are imbedded. It is within these vesicles that the ova, or eggs, are found. Every four weeks, during the child-bearing period an ovum matures, and bursting through the vesicle, as well as the surrounding membrane of the ovary, is conveyed to the womb by the oviduct.
While not the largest, the ovary is the most important of the generative organs of woman. Upon these apparently insignificant structures depends the creative power giving the grand office of motherhood, a power akin to the divine. Maternity! the holiest shrine of human life, to which poets do homage, and true men bow in reverence!
The ovaries contain the fructifying principle, and also bestow on woman the characteristics of sex. These mysterious bodies are the grand source of feminine attractions. Remove all other generative organs and you do not change her in this regard—remove the ovaries, and she becomes masculine not only in character but appearance. Her figure changes, her voice becomes coarse and of lower pitch, her throat enlarges, and, in some instances, whiskers appear. Any diseased condition, too, of the ovaries produces great constitutional as well as emotional disturbances.
The oviducts or fallopian tubes (Plates II and VI) are minute cylindrical openings from the superior and lateral portion of the uterus, about three inches in length and terminating in fimbriated or finger-like extremities. The latter are minute muscular bodies, which grasp the ovum as it bursts through the membranes of the ovary, and convey it into the oviduct on its way to the uterus. The ovum is less than ¹⁄₁₂₀ of an inch in diameter, and the cavity of the oviduct is so small that it would scarcely allow the entrance of a hog’s bristle.
The uterus (Plates II, III, IV, V and VII) is a pear-shaped muscular organ situated in the inferior portion of the pelvis, between the bladder and rectum. It is less than three inches length and two inches in width, and one in thickness. It is pear-shaped, the cervix naturally pointing to the coccyx.
The canal or opening into the uterus through the cervix is small, capable of admitting a probe ¹⁄₈ to ¹⁄₄ of an inch in diameter. The walls are muscular, and in the unimpregnated state about half an inch in thickness. The cavity of the uterus is small and conical, having three openings, two at its upper portion into the oviducts, and one into the vagina. The latter is called the Os uteri or mouth of the womb. The upper broad portion is called the fundus. It weighs from one to two ounces. It is difficult to realize how very diminutive this organ is in the virgin state, especially when we consider its power of distension during pregnancy.
The external portion of the uterus is covered by the peritoneum, a serous membrane which is continuous with the lining of the abdomen and covering of all the viscera. The uterus is held in place by ligaments formed of folds of the peritoneum. The broad ligament enveloping the oviduct and ovaries extends to either side, and is firmly attached to the sides of the pelvis. The round ligaments, formed from obliterated bloodvessels of fetal life and peritoneal covering, pass from the upper portion of the womb to the outside of the pelvic bone and terminate in muscular and cellular tissue beneath the integument. There are also folds of peritoneum between the womb and bladder in the front, and the womb and rectum in the back, that assist in holding it in position. It is besides largely supported by the elasticity of the vagina and muscles of the perineum. So well sustained is the uterus that only serious violations of physical laws can cause deviations of position.