CHAPTER XI 



THE CHANGES IN THE MATERNAL ORGANISM 

 DURING PREGNANCY 1 



: 



" We cannot reason with our cells, for they know so much more than we 

 do that they cannot understand us ; but though we cannot reason with them, 

 we can find out what they have been most accustomed to, and what therefore 

 they are most likely to expect ; we can see that they get this, as far as it is in 

 our power to give it them, and may then generally leave the rest to them.''- 

 SAMUEL BUTLER. 



I. THE STIMULUS FOR THE' MATERNAL CHANGES 



THE anatomical and physiological changes which occur in the 

 maternal organism during pregnancy are manifold. They affect not 

 only the generative system, but the body in general. They are 

 associated with the supply of nutriment and energy for the formation 

 of a new organism in the uterus, and the preparation for its mainten- 

 ance in the succeeding period. 



What constitutes the original stimulus for the changes that occur 

 in pregnancy remains still outside our ken. At least the influence of 

 the cerebrum is not all-important, as is shown by the occurrence 

 of normal pregnancy and lactation in women suffering from paraplegia 

 (Brachet, 2 Kruieger and Offergeld 3 ). Similarly, transection of the 

 spinal cord in the lumbar region has no effect on pregnancy in the 

 dog (Goltz 4 ). Further, Goltz and Ewald 5 have proved the absence 

 of any spinal reflex influence in the dog by removing the entire 

 lumbar cord without disturbing the onset and progress of pregnancy. 

 Kruieger and Offergeld state, as the result of numerous experiments, 

 that the central nervous system lias no influence, and the sympathetic 

 system has an effect only in so far as it modifies the circulatory 

 conditions. The only change observed, after destruction of the 

 lumbar cord, was a prolongation of the act of parturition, due to an 



1 By James Lochhead and \V. Cramer. 



- Brachet, Rechwhes, 2nd Edition, Paris, 1837. 



3 Kruieger and Qffergeld, '' Der Vorgang von Zeugung, Schwaugerschaft, 

 etc.," Arch.f. Gyitcik., vol. Ixxxiii., 1908. 



4 Goltz, " Ueber den Einfluss des Nervensystems auf die Vorgauge wahrend 

 der Schwangerschaft, etc.." Pftiiger's Arch., vol. ix., 1874. 



5 Goltz and Ewald, " Der Hund mit verkiirztem Ruckenmark," /'////''/.< 

 Arc/i., vol. Ixiii.. 18<>fi. 



514 



