ON THE PLACENTA.

103 course, upon the character and qualifications, that I set much of this aside ; because ’there of a medical man, in a manner more appro- is another and a most entertaining source priate to the occasion, than by following of confirmation, which has not been over. the example of the learned, the amiable, looked, though I am inclined to be of and the celebrated author of the lectures on opinion that enough has not been made of it. the duties and qualifications of a physician; We are misunderstood and unappreciated. better known perhaps to the majority of my We have a jealous world to deal with ; and, audience as the elegant writer of the Father’s at th&present juncture, they are afraid of the Legacy to his Daughters. I mean, of course, distinction we are daily and justly acquiring. Let me entreat you to bear In mind that you Dr. John Gregory. Can it be necessary, after this, to pro- aspire to belong to an order, dignified innounce the word which is at the end of my deed ; not forgetting that although you may tongue? You know what I mean-Itis be unable to accomplish the duties of Let medicine, all the known religious observances so regularly as others RELIGION. mysteries of which are about to be disclosed have it in their power to do, you are the to you, be associated with that sublimity more strictly bound to respect them, bewhich is already revealed, you know where, cause you are in a distinguished manner the and medicine must rule the world. Why servants of a God who has declared that he should the notion ever have been entertained prefers mercy to sacrifice, or in other words, that medical men are prone to infidelity? I looks with higher approbation upon the deny it. The nature of our occupations pHYSiciAN than’the puiEST. may, it is true, have had a very general influence in separating us from the observance of certain duties of a religious, as well ON as of a political nature ; but I am certain of this, that with the exception of clergymen, THE PLACENTA. who live by the knowledge of the Scripis of men there no class which tures, posBy WILLIAM DOBSON, Surgeon. sesses either so intimate an acquaintance with them, or more strictly regulates their THE nature and use of the placenta have lives and conversation according to the precepts there laid down. Indeed we can- never been ascertained. The anatomist has not make a livelihood if we entertain other dissected to unravel its structure, and the rules of conduct; and I am persuaded of physiologist reasoned to develop its fune. nothing more firmly, however paradoxical tion, but after all their endeavours, nothing it may sound, than that there are many men decisive is Icnown of either. It is the prevalent opinion, that the plaboth in and out of the profession who are Christians without knowing it. But as I centa effects some change in the blood in its the fœtus,—that it purifies the may perhaps be accused of wandering from passage much its purpose is to the fcetus if I dwell proper province, my this subject, I shall go on to say that I mean what the lungs are to the adult :but of the this operation is performed, by religion, the Christian religion. In fact mode in there is no other in which a man of real no is offered. Does the placenta Some there are separate from the blood some of its elements, sense cau seriously believe. who perhaps do imagine that they believe and are these returned into the circulation in some other ; but they are even ridicu- of the mother, while the remaining sublously mistaken. It is CHRISTIANITY they stance proceeds to the fœtus? Or, are the believe in, if they have any belief at all. globules of the blood diminished in size, and The morality, perhaps, of all prevalent sys- the blood attenuated in this organ, so as to tems is good, though it may be found here be adapted to the calibre of the minute f4wtat and there tainted with inconsistencies, and vessels’!? We have not one solitary fact, deformed hy perversions, but whence is it nor any well-arounded analogy, in support derivedFrom the same source as our beau- of either of these assumptions. Nor does tiful system, and through that channel. No there appear a necessity for any modificaAnd we possess a strong man can disbelieve the Scriptures if he will tion in the blood. turn his attention to one remarkable, to the negative fact, that a change in the elements most prominent, circumstance connected of the blood going to nourish the foetus, is with them. Setting aside their style and not required. The foetuses of quadrupeds composition, paying little attention to the seem to be nourished in the uterus like the well-established arguments with which so human class, yet a quadruped has no plamany able and good men have thought it centa ; the commucation between the necessary to confute the conceited pseudo mother and foetus being established directly phiicsophers, who have attempted to cut a by vessels. And were it necessary in the figure in every age of the world, while I one for the fulfilment of those objects, it is respect and reverence their labours, I say fair to concludeits necessity in the other.

upon

blood; tothat which explanation

104

The fcetal blood differs little in its physical which those vessels communicate is not characters from that of the adult. The co- understood. When the placenta is injected lour, however, both in the umbilical arteries by the umbilical arteries, the injection reand vein, is dark. This circumstance would turns by the vein, and only the feetal surface

invalidate the idea universally en- of the organ is injected. When injection is the scarlet quality of thrown into the uterine arteries it returns by blood is essential to nutrition and growth." the corresponding veins, the uterine potion From the following position, that " the of the placenta being injected. Between blood acquires a dark colour when detained the maternal and foetal portions there is an from the lungs," it is analogically presum- appearance of cells, which are filled whenable, that on the long continuance of the the formerportion is injected ; there being visible communication between the two blood (in the umbilical vein) from the ma., lernal lungs, the dark hue depends. Hence an opposite change is induced on the blood It seems obvious, that the placenta forms by the placenta, to that by the lungs in the a bond of union between the maternal and adult. It will be understood, however, that foetal circulations ; yet it appears not essenit is not from any special agency of the tially necessary, for we find in quadrupeds placenta that the blood is darkened, but as intimate and firm a connexion as in wosimply dependent on its long detention from men : then, does it serve any other purpose in the human female economyHere analogy the lungs. In a recent publication,* I have adverted is the only means to resolve this inquiry. to the beautiful harmony subsisting between When we contrast the human frame with the vascular apparatus and its contents dur- that of brutes, we find a remarkable dispa. ing bealth. But in the subject of the pre- rity ; we perceive brutes to be little suscepsent inquiry, we find this equilibrium dis- tible not only of mental, but of physical turbed. During utero-gestation, the uterine impressions ; not easily influenced to that vessels have their action increased,-they degree of excitement which would mateare carrying to the uterus an increase of rially disturb the circulation of the foetus in bluod’to build up a new being, whilst the utero ; yet severe exercise will occasionally other parts of the body are deprived of their produce abortion, as is well known to breedordinary quantity. The system is in a state ers of cattle. But the human female during of excitability ; the circulation is readily gestation has her mind and body highly susdisturbed by a physical shock, or by mental ceptible, readily influenced by surrounding emotions, which, in the unimpregnated state, agencies ; every little infringement on her would be received with impunity. rights disturbs the circulation ; hence how la the tirst few weeks of gestation the necessary it is that quietude of the mind placenta is defective ; the connexion be- should especially be preserved, and that the tween the mother and fostus is established physical frame should be guarded from nearly without the intervention of this every severe concussion!1 But these circumorgan. But the now imperfect placenta stances are familiar to all who have expegradually increases in bulk, its union to the rienced, and those who have thought. Since uterus becomes successively more firm, so the placenta does not appear requisite for that, near the latter part of this period, it effecting any change on -the blood, nor requires considerable force to separate them; essential for affordingabond of union be. and it is in the early part of this process tween the maternal and foetal vessels, we may that abortion most commonly takes place. now conjecture, that the placenta is for the For at this time, the vascular connecting purpose of receiving any urrdue quantity of medium is easily destroyed ; but subse- blood which may be sent to the ovum, during quently the system can bear very consider- excited circulation of the mother. able shocks, without injury resulting. The Though we cannot obtain demonstrative placenta at the ninth month is a large spongy proofs to substantiate this notion, analogimass, a span in diameter, and about an inch cal evidences ought to be admitted. In in thickness when uninjected, but can be inquiries on the living body, we must often considerably augmented by injecting the be content with these, the former being vessels ; indeed the organ appears very difficult to attain. The arcana of nature elastic,-attached on its external surface to cannot always be developed in a palpable the uterus bv means of the decidua vera; form. It would appear, that in the first few on its internal surface to the fcctus by means of the fuuis. The structure of the placenta weeks of the gestative period, only an imconsists of branches of the uterine arteries perfect placenta exists ; but afterwards, it aca very considerable size; and it would and veins (or of new vessels), the two umbilical artenes and vein, all united together seem that the liability to abortion is in an by cellular membrane. The manner in inverse ratio to the magnitude of the organ ; and, as a negative fact, we may mention, . that abortion in quadrupeds is most readily On the Spleen. seem to

tertained, that "

no circulations.

I

quires

,

105 the latter months. These circumstantial evidences afford strongpresump. CASE OF tion of the placenta being a safeguard to the fmtus during excited circulation of the RABIES IN THE DOG, mother, probably receiving and detaining, in its cells, a quantity of blood, which other- CONNECTED WITH VIOLENT SPASM IN THE ATTEMPT TO SWALLOW. wise would have been transmitted to the fœtus, and necessarily have injured its deliBy W. YOUATT, F.Z.S. cate organization, or the vessels between the uterus and ovum have become rup(From tlte Veterinarian, Oct. 1830.) tured from over distension, and thus a separation produced, and the consequence, aborONthe 4th of last month I was sent for to tion. As collateral evidence it may noticed, that when the system is Ealing. A cur had bitten a fine Newfoundany part in a state of unusual action will be land dog belonging to Mr. Anderson, and It had been more readily influenced than a healthy part, some other dogs and two pigs. as in the subject of examination-the ute- destroyed and buried, but was exhumed to rine ornans. be examined by me. A small quantity of be An advanced, might and (dungand straw was found in the stomach, which would " a priori," invalidate the the cardiac portion of which was much ingeneral conclusion, viz., that in the early Iflamed with spots of extravasation. The period of gestation, the ovum will act as a whole of thepharynx, larynx, and mucous foreign body-as an excitant to the uterus membrane of the windpipe, were highly inby its distention, producing that tendency flamed, andthe pleura pulmonalis was into expel its contents, and at a subsequent flamed in patches. period, the sensibility of the uterus becom- On my declaring it to be my opinion that ing blunted so as not to feel the impression. the cur was rabid, the Newfoundland dog But in opposition to this view, we may to be destroyed. I, however, state, first, that it is unphysiological to refer begged hard for him ; and he was sent to the enlargement of the uterus to distention ; my hospital for experiment. Various cirit ought to be considered a natural growth;; cumstances, over which I had no control, and, secondly, that when quietude is main-prevented the commencement of any experitained, abortion seldom occurs ; it is only,, ment. On the 19th, he did not feed as usual, and creteris paribus, when the woman has received some moral or physical impression, appeared dispirited. Fifteen days only that a separation of the ovum from the having occurred since the bite, I did not uterus results. dream of rabies, and ordered a physic ban We have here an example of that wise to be given to him. ordination of the Creator ; though woman at ’ On the 20th he had an anxious depressed this period is so susceptible to be influenced look, with the lower jaw slightly dependent. by surrounding circumstances, an apparatus Spasms stole over the face, and were particuis added to avert their agencies. The poor larly observable in the right eyelid. He little foetus, chained in its cell, would other- was continually shifting his posture, and wise be doomed to suffer at every shock on scraping his bed together ; he slightly stagits irritable parent, without either will or gered behind ; eagerly gazed at and attenpower to effect its escape. tively followed the path of some imaginary Some apology may appear requisite for object. There was a great discharge of deducingthis conclusion from so few pre- saliva, which he was frequently endeavourmises; but the total impossibility of pro- ingto detach from the corners of his mouth ducingdemonstrative evidence, will shield with his paws ; a grating choking noise in me from censure. Analogical testimony is, breathing. He was perfectly harmless; imI conceive, too little appreciated, in physio- mediately came from his cot when called ; logical inquiries ; I believe, if this princi- offered his paw, and rubbed his head against ple of reasoning were oftener applied, we me. He had not quarrelled with any of the should arnve, with greater facility, at a dogs (likewise for experiment) with which more correct knowledge of the different plie- he was confined; but led near to nomena in the human system ; for when another part of the hospital in which were fiud analogy in stiucture, we must look for the cribs of the sick dogs, he growled savageanalogy in function. ly at them. He was separated from the rest, and water put within his reach. He ad1-1-, Arabella Row, Pimlico, vanced towards it, looked at it, and turned 1830. October, away ; he immediately returned, looked stedfastly at it, almost touched it with his muzzle, and suddenly started back :this he repeated several times.

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