2Q2- STUDIES ON PATHOLOGIC OVA. 



mens the gaping mouth and blunted and rounded upper extremities are especially 

 noticeable. That sagging of the upper extremities does not always occur, even in 

 the presence of a more marked degree of maceration than present in the above 

 specimen, is illustrated by No. 705, shown in figure 197, a somewhat older cyema 

 with more marked maceration, and to a less degree also by No. 1477, both of which 

 also show a rounding and shortening of the extremities. 



A still more striking series of transformations is illustrated by the somewhat 

 older specimens, Nos. 2244, 1891, 1655, 1260, 1333, 1926, and 1379, shown in 

 figures 198 to 204 inclusive. Inspection of this series will show that the transition 

 from one to the succeeding specimen is not very marked, although the difference 

 in form between the first and last specimens is very great indeed, and could have 

 been made more striking by accompanying each figure by a normal one of the 

 same (or approximately the same) stage of development. 



Such oddly shaped bodies as those shown in figures 203 and 204 scarcely can 

 be identified positively as cyemic remnants by the unaided eye, and even under 

 some magnification give little indication of their internal structure. The same 

 thing is true, though to a lesser degree, of Nos. 885 and 1333, shown in figure 202, 

 and also in figure 22 (plate 3, Chap. IV). In these specimens the limbs are still 

 present in such an abbreviated form that the latter suggests amelia. Hence the 

 question at once arises whether these specimens show mere post-mortem deforma- 

 tions or true developmental anomalies. This question is presented still more 

 forcibly by smaller, younger specimens such as Nos. 1226 and 2361, shown in 

 figures 205 and 206. These cyemata may be truly anomalous, but they also may 

 be macerated young normal embryos, and in case of young specimens the question 

 can be decided only by a microscopic study of the sections, as was illustrated while 

 considering the nodular group in Chapter IV. It must be borne in mind, however, 

 that minor external deformities may be obliterated completely by post-mortem 

 deformations, and that in such cases no positive conclusion can then be reached. 



An unbending or erection of the cyema does not always occur, as is illustrated 

 by No. 208 (fig. 191), which also is a 7-mm. specimen. Although this cyema 

 is markedly macerated, there has been but little change in the total outline, save 

 as a result of pitting, increase in flexure, and shrinkage. Whether or not failure 

 to unbend on the part of this specimen is due to an early coagulation of the am- 

 niotic fluid, and the tissues of the embryo itself, I do not know, but that this might 

 be an important factor does not seem improbable. Similarly, early coagulation 

 of the cyema itself might postpone other changes in form, similar to those shown 

 in No. 589 (fig. 207), a cyema of 10 mm. This cyema very apparently was not 

 surrounded by a coagulum. In such soft specimens the whole surface may be 

 wrinkled, the hand plates may look excavated, and the head may be sunken 

 deeply upon the chest. Since this particular specimen remained extremely soft 

 and pliable, the extremities also were rotated somewhat and the body became 

 rather collapsed, as if compressed. Just why some cyemata remain relatively 

 stiff, firm, and opaque, and others become extremely soft, swollen, and more 



