The pathology of intra-uterine death.

  • Priestley, W. O. (William Overend), 1831-1900.
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The pathology of intra-uterine death. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    the litems to become the outermost of the foetal membranes, to the formation of the fully grown placenta, tliere is no ])ause or cessation in the active changes which characterise the progress of gi'owth. The cells and fibres which build up the tissues day by day undergo progressive change, and the vessels equally undergo modification in size, form, character, and in theii' relation to surrounding parts. The vegetative process is, indeed, so active that if any derangement occurs, either from accident or disease, the morbid change thus initiated is, or may be, impressed with the same activity, and rapid degeneration takes place, or abnormal growths are produced with surprising cjuickness. It can scarcely be a matter of surprise, therefore, that pathological researches into these unstable and ever-chano'ino; structures should be beset with diffi- culties, and that equally conscientious and accurate observers hold different views concerning the nature of some of the pathological results hereafter to be described. The earlier the period of gestation, the greater apparently is the difficulty of pursuing inves- tio-ations. Then all the tissues are so frao-ile and delicate that if specimens are procurable their efficient injection is well-nigh impossible, and they are likely to be so contused and broken that their true condition is not easily determined. Notwith- standing: all the difficulties, researches have been attempted by very competent observers at ever}^ period of pregnancy, and the accumulated results so recorded may to a certain extent be formulated, and some at least of the pathological conditions be thoroughly understood.