INTRODUCTION. t 



I wish to thank for a careful examination of these slides. Prof. 

 Graf von Spec did not question in the least the good histological 

 preservation of this specimen. He called attention to the great 

 scientific value of this new ovum and pointed out the frequent oc- 

 currence of a congested area surrounding the seat of implantation 

 in this stage of development. The ovum of Peters, which may 

 be one-half to one day older, also shows this marked congestion 

 of the blood vessels in the immediate neighborhood of the ovum. 



We must bear in mind that during or immediately after the 

 penetration of the ovum into the endometrium, a pronounced af- 

 flux of blood is a natural consequence. Regarding this only a 

 study of other very young ova, which can be expected in the 

 near future, will throw more light on this problem, until then 

 it seems permissible to disregard the objection that the poison- 

 ing with phosphorus might interfere with the reliability of the 

 histological picture presented by our specimen. At any rate it 

 must be emphasized, that this latest ovule, exactly like that of 

 Peters', the one demonstrated by Graf, von Spec in Kiel, and 

 the very small ovum described by me in my atlas ("Uterus und 

 Kind") were found in' situ embedded in an uninjured mucous 

 membrane in a perfect condition. 



The detailed discussion in the following chapter will be simpli- 

 fied by a general preliminary consideration of the mucous mem- 

 brane elevation which harbors the ovum. This is done in the 

 following table, which contains only the findings pertaining to 

 this point in the sections 1 to 160. 



This table shows plainly that the fibrin coat ("Gewebspilz" of 

 Peters) which covers the top of the mucous membrane elevation 

 ("Schleimhauthuegel") consists of two adjoining portions. The 

 one we can follow from sections 10 to 68, where it has almost dis- 

 appeared. The second portion begins in section 75 and disap- 

 pears again completely in section 103. In a similar manner the 

 glands and the blood vessels can be followed. This preliminary 

 general consideration furnishes a good picture of the enormous 

 number of glands and capillaries and shows how the glands 

 gradually are crowded out through the dilatation and rupture 

 of the capillaries in the surrounding tissue. 



This general survey alone demonstrates the fact that the mi- 

 nute ovum is completely encircled by free blood spaces. 



It affords me great pleasure to say a few words regarding the 

 translation of my book, which Dr. Vogt has so kindly under- 

 taken. A few years ago Dr. Vogt was a pupil of mine who for 

 many months assisted me both in theoretical and practical work. 

 I shall owe to this translation a widespread acquaintance with 



