696 OF REPRODUCTION. 



of the Catamenia (and not after it, as commonly imagined), is one well known 

 to practical men. Numerous cases have been collected by Mr. Girdwood, 

 Dr. Robert Lee, MM. Gendrin, Negrier, Raciborski, and others, in which the 

 Menstrual period was evidently connected with the maturation and discharge 

 of Ova; but the most complete observations yet made upon this subject, are 

 those of Dr. Ritchie (loc. cit.) He states that about the period of Puberty a 

 marked change usually takes place in the mode in which the Ovisacs discharge 

 their contents ; but that this change does not necessarily occur simultaneously 

 with the first appearance of the Catamenia; as in some cases the conditions, 

 which obtain in the period before puberty, are extended into that of menstrua- 

 tion. The Ovaries now receive a much larger supply of blood ; and the Ovi- 

 sacs show a great increase in bulk and vascularity ; so that, when they appear 

 at the surface of the ovary, they present themselves as pisiform turgid eleva- 

 tions ; and the discharge of their contents leaves a much larger cicatrix, and 

 is accompanied by an effusion of blood into their cavity, with other subsequent 

 changes, to be presently described. It would appear, however, that although 

 such a discharge takes place most frequently at the Menstrual period, yet that 

 the two occurrences are not necessarily co-existent; for menstruation may 

 take place without any such rupture ; whilst, on the other hand, the matura- 

 tion and discharge of mature ova may occur in the intervals of Menstruation, 

 and even at periods of life when that function is not taking place. The 

 essential condition of Menstruation itself would appear to be the increased 

 turgescence of the vessels of the Uterus ; and the appearance, on its internal 

 surface, of a meshwork of deciduous villous vessels, which may remain for at 

 least two weeks. It is evident that this is a preparation for the formation of 

 the Decidua ( 919). 



910. The duration of the period of aptitude for procreation, as marked by 

 the persistence of the Catamenia, is more limited in Women than in Men; 

 usually terminating at about the 45th year; it is sometimes prolonged, how- 

 ever, for ten or even fifteen years longer ; but cases are rare in which women 

 above 50 years of age have borne children. There is usually no Menstrual 

 flow during Pregnancy and Lactation ; in fact, the cessation of the Catamenia 

 is generally one of the first signs, indicating that Conception has taken place. 

 But it is by no means uncommon for them to appear once or twice subse- 

 quently to Conception; and in some women, there is a regular monthly dis- 

 charge, though probably not of the usual secretion, through the whole period. 

 Some very anomalous cases are recorded, in which the Catamenia never 

 appeared at any other time than during Pregnancy ; and were then regular. 

 The absence of the Catamenia during Lactation is by no means constant, 

 especially if the period be prolonged; when the Menstrual discharge recurs, 

 it may be considered as indicating an aptitude for Conception ; and it is well 

 known that, although Pregnancy seldom recurs during the continuance of 

 Lactation, the rule is by no means invariable. 



911. The function of the Female, during the coitus, is entirely of a passive 

 character. When the sexual feeling is strongly excited, there is a considera- 

 ble degree of turgescence in the erectile tissue surrounding the vagina, and 

 composing the greater part of the nymphac and the clitoris ; and there is also 

 an increased secretion from the mucous follicles.* But these changes are by 



[* The glands of Duverney have been lately (1840) very accurately described by Profes- 

 sor Tiedemann, his attention having been directed to the.se organs by the late Dr. Fricke, of 

 Hamburg. These glands are situated at either side of the entrance of the vagina, beneath 

 the integument covering the inferior part of the vagina, as well as the superficial perinea! 

 fascia, and the constrictor vagina? muscle. The space they occupy lies between the lower 

 end of the vagina, the ascending ramus of the ischium, the crus clitoridis, and the erector 

 clitoridis muscle. Superiorly are the fibres of the levator ani which are attached to the 



