700 OF REPRODUCTION. 



phanous pellicle ; these, after a lengthened period, present themselves as yellowish-white, 

 and generally globular bodies, more or less fissured from their contraction, and sometimes in 

 process of absorption, having a granular-looking structure, and seldom being divisible into 

 laminae by simple dissection: and 2. As dense bodies of a whitish, shining, firm structure, 

 their inner coat being the seat of these changes, and their outer adhering loosely as a 

 transparent peculiar layer; the inner layer presents itself as a thick, opaque, deeply- 

 wrinkled or corrugated, and rocky cyst, or is sometimes partially diaphanous, and of a shin- 

 ing pearly aspect, and very white colour; and it sometimes contains a yellow, greenish, 

 transparent fluid, or a clot of blood, either unchanged, or converted into a yellow or black 

 pigment. This second variety appears to be the Corpus Luteum of Baer. These white 

 bodies, or Corpora Albida, were found by Dr. R. in every variety of uterine condition, subse- 

 quent to the establishment of menstruation, but. never before it ; and the dense kind, espe- 

 cially, were persistent for a long period. They had no necessary connection with the gravid 

 condition; but they were occasionally (especially the dense variety) the only specialty ob- 

 servable in the ovaries of the puerperal female, some time after delivery. 



in. The third class was characterized by the presence of an organized yellow-coloured 

 brain-like, granular matter; forming todies to which Dr. R. has given the name of Corpora 

 Cephaloidea. These differed, according as the cerebriform matter was deposited between 

 the layers of ruptured Follicles, having transparent pellicular walls, as in Class i., or having 

 either their inner or outer coat thickened, as in Class n. ; or according as the cerebriform 

 matter was deposited externally to the two inner layers of the Follicle. The former of those 

 varieties was found by Dr. Ritchie in menstruating females; also during the first months of 

 the gravid state; and sometimes even in the period of lactation. In some instances, only 

 one or two of the cerebriform bodies were found ; but in others, five or six. Their struc- 

 ture, especially in the more perfectly-organized specimens, presented a striking resemblance 

 to the convoluted reddish-yellow surface of the brain, covered by its inner membranes, and 

 painted with its scarlet-coloured and dark vessels. These cephaloid bodies undergo diminu- 

 tion in proportion to their age, and the absorbing power of the female. In those possessed 

 of only thin coats, or having the outer layer as the seat of the thickening, the inner walls of 

 the cysts speedily contracted and coalesced; so that their centres exhibited a delicate opaque 

 streak : or, in those better developed, a serrated, curved, and well-marked white line, ac- 

 cording as the cyst was of elliptical or of a globular form. This variety of cerebriform cyst 

 was met with in a recent state as well in immediate connection with the existence of men- 

 struation, as during the first seven months of pregnancy ; and in this latter case, by under- 

 going a conversion in its form presently to be noticed (iv), they constituted the Corpora 

 Lutea of Dr. Montgomery. In the second variety of Cephaloid bodies, the two inner layers 

 of the Graafian Follicle were converted into a dense white body, surrounded by an envelope 

 of yellow matter. Such cysts (the Corpora Lutea of Dr. Lee) were never observed as an 

 effect of menstruation simply, but were met with exclusively in the gravid female ; although 

 two were seen (as were also the cephaloid bodies of the preceding order) to be present in 

 some cases of single conception. This form of Cephaloid bodies was generally distinguished 

 by large, persistent, white, glistening cavities. The granular cephaloid matter was some- 

 times found quite absorbed within a few days after parturition; but in other instances it 

 underwent the metamorphosis characteristic of the next class. 



iv. The fourth general state of the ruptured Graafian follicle was peculiar to the impreg- 

 nated and lactating female, in the period between the 8th and 13th months after concep- 

 tion ; and appeared to be a conversion of the Corpora Cephaloidea already described, arising 

 out of a higher and more perfect organization. Down to the 7th month of pregnancy, the 

 cysts contained in the Ovaries did not differ in any respect from the cerebriform bodies 

 found in the unimpregnated state; except that they were sometimes plumper, more vascu- 

 lar, bettor developed, and had their inner layer more frequently thickened. A change in 

 the hue of the granular matter thefri commences, which becomes more decided as time 

 elapses; so that by the end of the 1st month after delivery, it becomes of a decided rose 

 colour, changing to a still more florid hue on exposure to air. Its cavity also contracts, so as 

 to leave but. a stellated pnint, nr a curved groove: and a fibrous appearance (probably de- 

 pendent on the triictiun thus exercised) is seen in the surrounding substance. Although 

 these bodies, termed by Dr. Ritchie Corpora rubra, are found exclusively in the later months 

 of pregnancy, or in the puerperal state, yet they are not always present in those conditions. 



The number of cases examined by Dr. Ritchie is not, perhaps, sufficient to 

 enable us to found any positive statements upon the results of his examina- 

 tion of them ; but the following inductions appear highly probable : 1. That 

 the presence of Corpora Rubra may be regarded as indicative, not only of 

 conception, but also of an advanced state of pregnancy, or of recent delivery; 

 but that their absence is not to be regarded as any proof to the contrary. 2. 



