RESORPTION OF CONCEPTUSES. 



301 



as number 2047, the amnion is preserved and distended as shown 

 in Fig. 9. Both chorion and amnion are macerated and distended 

 with clear fluid and it seems strange indeed that the embryo and 

 the yolk sac may disappear completely without even a final 

 clouding of the amniotic fluid. There may have been temporary 

 clouding, but every now, and then a specimen is received in 

 which both the vesicles are distended with absolutely clear 



FIG. 9. Gross appearance of abortus No. 2047 showing a large blood clot con- 

 taining a transparent chorionic and an empty amniotic vesicle. X 3. 



fluid, a fact which also implies that autolysis of the embryo 

 occurred without digestion of the enveloping amnion. 



Since only a pseudo-decidua forms, and then but rarely and 

 very early, in cases of tubal pregnancy, the sequence of events 

 leading to dissolution of- the conceptus must be rather different. 

 There can be no accumulation of blood in a capsularis. Hence 

 the conceptus usually becomes isolated in blood or blood clot 

 within the tube, and undergoes degeneration as the hemorrhage 



