68 Observations on the Natural History 



the uterine arteries cease their functions ; a new, though 

 temporary, organ begins its office. The placenta, en- 

 dowed with the function of a gland, provides nutriment 

 for the foetus. There are solitary cases, in which a spe- 

 cies of morbid hemorrhage, or vicarious menses, con- 

 tinues throughout pregnancy. Is this efflux of blood 

 from the vessels of the os tincae? 



But to return, and fairly examine into the merits of 

 the proposition, giving it the fullest possible bearing on 

 the subject. I will, for the moment, concede the point 

 before us. Let the menses be formed, and be retained, 

 according to the pleasure of the writer. The total sum 

 of fluid, amassed during nine calendar, or even ten lu- 

 nar months, would not be, upon the most liberal esti- 

 mate for foetal organization, more than five pounds of 

 aliment, allowing six ounces to each catamenial period. 

 An ordinary child weighs from ten to fifteen pounds : 

 that is, from five to ten pounds more than the total sum 

 of the fluid retained. 



How far does this go to demonstrate, that foetal or- 

 ganization derives its sources from the menstruous fluid? 

 And here I might, not inaptly, subjoin a second pro- 

 blem : If the human foetus be made up of the menstru- 

 ous fluid, whence are the materials for the organization 

 of the young of the lower animals furnished? They have 

 no menses. 



The Doctor's proposition extends much farther. It 

 not only insinuates, but directly maintains, that this 

 fluid is retained, and yet is transformed into foetal or- 



