RESORPTION OF CONCEPTUSES. 293 



if not inevitable, before she took her life. That the focal hemorr- 

 hages in the decidua could be attributed to the hydrochloric 

 acid swallowed with suicidal intent, is extremely doubtful, for 

 the histologic condition of the conceptus shows conclusively 

 that the changes in it could not possibly have been produced in 

 the short interval of four days which elapsed between the suicidal 

 attempt and death. Since the menstrual history of the case 

 remains unknown it is impossible to determine the menstrual 

 age of the specimen but the degenerate chorionic vesicle would 

 seem to imply an age of only about ten or twelve days. However 

 as this young woman was but sixteen years and apparently 

 illegitimately pregnant, it is more than likely that the suicidal 

 attempt occurred, as so often is the case, during the time of the 

 first lapsed period. Hence the surmise that the multiple hemor- 

 rhages in the decidua may have been provoked by the returning 

 menstrual cycle, gains somewhat in probability. Especially so 

 since the size and the condition of the conceptus both suggested 

 that it must have died some weeks previous to its abortion. 



A third early specimen illustrating the progress of intra- 

 uterine absorption is number 962, donated by Dr. Joseph M. 

 Jackson, of Pittsburgh. In contrast to the preceding two, this 

 chorionic vesicle contained a macerated embryo 4 mm. long. 

 The menstrual age is unknown but the chorionic vesicle measured 

 34 x 28 x 24 mm. and was covered almost entirely by villi. 

 The latter which contained degenerating vessels, are matted 

 together with necrotic trophoblast and show other evidences of 

 retention. As shown in Fig. 4, which represents a cross section 

 of the entire conceptus with the surrounding decidua, the amnion 

 was preserved and contained some coagulum. Mall found the 

 embryo greatly macerated and the organs and cavities partially 

 obliterated. The slight break in the decidua capsularis may be 

 the result of handling or of technical procedures. Since the 

 specimen was aborted with the entire decidua there can be no 

 question of escape of a portion of the conceptus. 



That it not alone is very young conceptuses which may undergo 

 almost complete lysis, is illustrated by number 606, a chorionic 

 vesicle measuring 18 x 13 x 18 mm. This specimen, which was 

 donated by Dr. Charles S. Parker, of Baltimore, is covered with 



