ACTION OF THE FEMALE. 699 



and in a few months it ceases to be recognizable as such. The cicatrix by 

 which the Ovum has escaped is visible for some time longer ; but this too, 

 according to the careful researches of Dr. Montgomery, cannot be distin- 

 guished at a subsequent period. Hence there is no correspondence between 

 the number of Corpora Lutea found in the ovaries of a woman, or of Cica- 

 trices on their surface, and the number of children she may have borne. The 

 number of Corpora Lutea must always be less, when there have been many 

 conceptions; but the number of Cicatrices maybe greater; for several causes, 

 such as the escape of unimpregnated ova, or the bursting of little abscesses, 

 may give rise to such appearances. 



914. Much discussion has taken place amongst Embryologists, as to 

 whether the substance of the Corpus Luteum is deposited within the Graafian 

 follicle, externally to it, or betiveen its layers. The first is the opinion of 

 Baer, BischofF, and others ; who regarded it as a growth from the inner layer 

 of the Graafian follicle. The second is the opinion of Dr. R. Lee and Mr. 

 Wharton Jones. The third is the doctrine taught by Drs. Montgomery and 

 Barry; the former regarding it, however, as deposited between the two layers, 

 of which the cellulo-vascular layer of the Graafian follicle (which are both 

 derived from the condensed stroma of the ovarium) consist ; whilst the latter 

 maintains that the deposit takes place between the true Ovisac and its Ovarian 

 envelopes. The recent inquiries of Dr. Ritchie* throw great light on this 

 question ; by showing that a great variety of changes may take place, after the 

 discharge of the Ovum from the Ovisac ; amongst which may be included all 

 the appearances described by the several writers just quoted. The following 

 is an abstract of the results of Dr. R.'s researches. 



a. The appearances presented by the Ovaries, Graafian follicles, and by the blood which 

 is contained in the latter subsequent to their rupture, vary according to the time at which 

 they are examined, and the absorbing power of the individual. In cases of the recent dis- 

 charge of an Ovum, the Peritoneal coat of the Ovary is marked by a jagged slit or opening, 

 having a florid vascular areola ; in those of longer standing, the opening is covered over, 

 with the exception of a minute circular foramen in the centre, (or where the slit has been of 

 great length) of two such openings, with new tissue, surrounded by a claret-coloured mar- 

 gin ; and in those still more ancient, the whole is healed up into a cicatrix, which is more 

 or less superficial and free from discoloration, according to its age. 



b. With respect to the Blood, which is generally contained in the ruptured follicles, it is 

 seen first as a florid coagulum; next, having only its centre scarlet-coloured, and its peri- 

 phery more or less black, and perhaps furrowed; frequently the clot has a gamboge colour 

 from the decomposition of its red corpuscles, or has become pale from their absorption ; and 

 lastly, the clot is found in different stages of absorption. But it sometimes also happens, 

 and that indifferently in every variety of the uterine state, that the ruptured follicles are 

 found empty, or containing only an aqueous fluid. 



c. The coats of the ruptured Follicles have been found vn four different general conditions, 

 apparently dependent on their relative degree of organization ; and each class presenting, 

 also, modifications of their respective characteristics, proceeding in part from the same cause, 

 and in part also from changes connected with the period of their progress in which they 

 were examined. 



i. The first class was distinguished by the attenuated state of the coats of the ruptured 

 Follicle; and by the total absence of any organic changes in these, different from their con- 

 dition previous to their discharge. The only alterations observable resulted from the me- 

 chanical dyeing of their coats of an inky-black, or of a yellow colour, proceeding from their 

 contact with decomposed blood. The first class of appearance was found indifferently in 

 all ages and states, subsequent to puberty. 



ir. The second general class of ruptured Follicles was characterized, in addition to the 

 appearances just described, by organic changes in their coats ; consisting, progressively, of 

 an increased vascularity, a thickening, a whitening of the colour, and finally, a corrugation 

 of their tissue. The white bodies thus formed, to which Dr. R. has given the designation of 

 Corpora Jllbida, may exist tinder two distinct forms: 1. As soft bodies of a yellowish fatty 

 aspect having the outer coat much thickened, whilst their inner remains as a delicate dia- 



Merlical Gazette, 1S44. 



