CHANGES IN NON-PREGNANT UTERUS 89 



has shrunk again into its resting condition, the fine capillaries are no 

 longer seen ; but during the time in which the reclaiming process 

 goes on they exist in very large numbers." It should be added 

 that this description of the formation of vessels in the uterine 

 rnucosa of Semnopitheetis and I\f<n-<n-ux is in opposition to the usual 

 view regarding the growth of new vessels, which are ordinarily 

 supposed to be only capable of developing as off-shoots from pre- 

 existing ones. 



Heape also describes a recuperation of the old blood-vessels. 

 The nuclei which were hypertrophied become reduced in size, and 

 the swollen protoplasm becomes contracted. In this way the vessels 

 are reduced once more to their normal sixe. 



(4) The changes in the cells of the stroma are described as being 

 similar to those in the cells which form the walls of the hypertrophied 

 vessels, the large nuclei and swollen protoplasm giving place to 

 compact nuclei and fine thread-like processes of protoplasm. The 

 multiplication of the stroma nuclei still goes on to a limited extent, 

 but is not nearly so frequent. The tissue is very open during the 

 early stages of recuperation, but gradually becomes drawn together. 

 As a result the whole stroma is reduced considerably in bulk. 



( "> ) The extra vasated leucocytes, like the red corpuscles, are said 

 to be returned into the circulatory system by means of the newly 

 formed vessels. Heape says that isolated wandering leucocytes are 

 very rare indeed at this stage, and he makes no mention of basophil 

 or eosinophil cells, such as have recently been described in the 

 uterus of the dog. The actual proportion of leucocytes within the 

 vessels is said to be greater than at any other period in the cycle, 

 as many as fifty per cent, having been observed in certain of the 

 vessels. With regard to the function of the leucocytes Heape 

 su^ests that in cases of suppressed menstruation they might play 

 an important part, but that in normal menstruation "they seem 

 to have been induced- to appear on the scene in such numbers, 

 unnecessarily ; the casting away of the menstrual mucosa, together 

 with all noxious material, and the dean healing of the wounded 

 surface, rendering their protective presence unnecessary. At tin- 

 same time Heape points out that the presence of the leucocytes in 

 the vessels is evidence of the existence therein of a noxious 

 substance which is not present in the surrounding tissue, and he 

 supposes that this irritant may be got rid of completely in the flow 

 of blood. 



Menstruation in Mumm* has also been studied by Illand Suttoii, 1 

 according to whom the sanguineous discharge is slight. Suttoii 



1 Illiind Snttmi. - M'-iistni;itii>n in Moiikryx," licit. GytUBC. ./'/-., v.|. ii., 



I SS( I. 



