B.POLYMENORRHOIC STRATIFICATIONS.
This sanguineous mass consists of a series of layers of the same species of pseudo-textile membrane described at No. 1 and 2; rather striated, neatly wrapt over one another, and easily separable without laceration, until we come near to the nucleus, where the layers are thinner and adhere more firmly together.
Some of these quasi-membranaceous wrappings are generally entire at one of the extremities of the mass, and open at the other, while two of the innermost are open at both ends, as if their organization had been checked by the supervening of another and external coating. This is properly marked by the artist on the second membrane, reckoning from the outside covering.
The colour of the latter is most brilliant, and has been well and correctly represented by Mr. Perry, from nature. The former, or inner layer, is darker in places, not so gelatinous in appearance, more distinctly striated, and puckered up superficially into slender longitudinal ridges, giving it thesemblance (in form though not in colour) to a dry Egyptian date, or a very ripe banana.
There is no nucleus in this species of coagulum. In its centre, we remark an oblong cavity, which extends nearly the whole length of the mass, and remains partially open longitudinally. The walls of this cavern are not thick.
Over the latter another coat is thrown, likewise open, the margins of whose aperture do not reach those of the inner coat. Over these again arrange themselves one, two, three, and sometimes more stratifications of grumous blood, bearing a nearer resemblance to fleshy laminæ than to membranes. Their colour is of a bright vermilion, whereas that of the two innermost coats is of a dark violet, while the central cavity itself has a perfectly dark tint.
Like thecoagulum incavum, the present measures three inches in length, is oblong, and rounded at both ends, one of which has an open orifice not unlike that of the unimpregnated womb in its configuration.
A spongeous substance, irregularly globular, flattened into a sort of depression at one part, and terminated by a round teat-like extremity at the opposite parts of its circumference.
Externally this coagulum might be taken for a cast of the interior of the uterus about three weeks after conception. This resemblance is even greater when the coagulum is cut into and laid open. A cavity is then found of shape almost triangular, with an open, smooth, and rounded orifice, the whole inside being lined by a pellucid silvery-looking membrane, not unlike a serous membrane. This membrane prolongs itself through the orifice, which it lines also, and passing outwardly, goes to join and merges into the coarser external covering of the coagulum.
A section of the walls of this intro-uterine mass, exhibits a thickness of two fifths of an inch, studded with a vast number of small apertures, not unlike a honey-comb. The colour of the divided coagulum is of a bright vermilion, but the inside of the several apertures is of a much deeper tint. The lining of the cavity consists of a very fine pellucid whitish membrane, (as I before stated,) which resting on a dark red, assumes in aspect a lilac hue: while externally the mass presented a dirty brown colour at the time of its coming into my possession,immediatelyafter its expulsion.
Plate 12Joseph Perry del et Lithog.Printed by C. Hullmandel.Dr. Granville on Abortionand the Diseases of Menstruation
Plate 12Joseph Perry del et Lithog.Printed by C. Hullmandel.Dr. Granville on Abortionand the Diseases of Menstruation
Plate 12Joseph Perry del et Lithog.Printed by C. Hullmandel.Dr. Granville on Abortionand the Diseases of Menstruation