ACTION OF THE FEMALE. 597 



in the ovaries of a woman, or of Cicatrices 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 

 may be greater; for several causes, such as the escape of unimpregnated ova, 

 or the bursting of little abscesses, may give rise to such appearances. Much 

 discussion has taken place amongst EmbryologistsTas to whether the substance 

 of the Corpus Luteum is deposited within the Graafian follicle, externally to 

 it, or between 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, how- 

 ever, as deposited between the two layers, of which the eel lulo- 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 ifs Ovarian envelops. 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 

 discharge 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 cov- 

 ered 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 margin; 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. 



6. 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 

 periphery 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 ab- 

 sorption ; 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 rup- 

 tured follicles are found empty, or containing only an aqueous fluid. 



c. The coats of the ruptured Follicles have been found in four different general condi- 

 tions, apparently dependent on their relative degree of organization; and each class pre- 

 senting, 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 

 condition previous to their discharge. The only alterations observable resulted from the 

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

 their contact with decomposed blood. This first class of appearances was found indif- 

 ferently in all ages and states, subsequent to puberty. 



IF. 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 cor- 

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

 designation of Corpora Albida, may exist under 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 diaphanous pellicle; these, after a lengthened period, present themselves as 

 yellowish-white, and generally globular bodies, more or less fissured 'from their contrac- 

 tion, 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 



* Loc. cit. 



