304 ARTHUR WILLIAM MEYER. 



rhage responsible for the loosening of the conceptus would have 

 to be proportionately much greater for the attachment of the 

 placenta is firmer though rupture of the capsularis easier. That 

 this assumption is correct is shown also by the almost universal 

 history of bleeding in these cases and it is only in the early stages 

 of development that the conceptus can be expelled entire while 

 still contained in the implantation cavity, and aborted com- 

 pletely wrapped in the decidua as in case of number 698. 



Since 12.8 per cent, of all abortions and 32.3 per cent, of all 

 those classed as pathologic in the first one thousand accessions 

 in -the Mall Collection are composed of villi only, of empty chor- 

 ionic vesicles, and essentially of chorion and amnion, one might 

 assume that all these specimens represent stages m the process 

 of intrauterine disintegration and absorption. Most of them 

 undoubtedly do belong in this category but in many cases in which 

 villi only are found the rest of the conceptus and in others the 

 embryo as well, has been lost. Since 46.4 per cent, of all tubal 

 specimens and 71. per cent, of all those classed as pathologic 

 are composed of villi only, of empty chorionic vesicles and of 

 chorion and amnion only, it might be assumed that digestion 

 and absorption are more active within the tube than the uterus. 

 Such a conclusion is not justified however, for almost all tubal 

 specimens are isolated while young and only exceptionally does 

 one reach the later months of pregnancy. Hence those falling 

 in the above-named three groups of tubal specimens form a 

 relatively larger percentage. 



Cases of partial dissolution of the embryo are of course com- 

 mon, as almost every one knows. As far as I can learn however, 

 the two cases reported here are the only ones offering unequivocal 

 proof that dissolution of the entire conceptus may be absolutely 

 complete and that the intact empty decidua then may be aborted. 

 Such an event could for various reasons probably occur only in 

 the early stages of pregnancy and must undoubtedly be relatively 

 rare. Nevertheless, I am convinced that careful examination of all 

 material aborted will multiply the evidence. From these things 

 it also would seem possible that rarely pregnancy may supervene 

 and be terminated without having attracted any attention 

 whatsoever. 



