THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 269 



not be brought about by movements in them, together with a 

 kind of erection dependent upon increased fulness of the vessels, 

 as has also been established by the experiments of Gendrin and 

 Raciborski (1. c. p. 412 — 417), in two women dead during 

 menstruation, and of Laahr ( ( De mutat. gen. mul. brevi post 

 concept/ Halis, 1843) in the case of one who was killed 

 shortly after coitus. As regards the movements of the uterus, 

 they are, at all events during parturition, very energetic, but 

 take place even at other times. The muscular tissue is so 

 disposed, that at first a universal contraction of the uterine 

 cavity, but afterwards local, more or less extensive contractions, 

 also may be performed with great ease. Thus, in the act of 

 parturition, the cervix and the os uteri are at rest, whilst the 

 fundus and body contract, contractions of the former parts and 

 of the vagina not ensuing till subsequently. In convulsions, 

 the whole uterus contracts closely round the child; in retention 

 of the placenta, the contraction is entirely local and confined 

 to the fundus. It is probable that movements take place at 

 the time of menstruation and in the act of congress, but the 

 fact has not been ascertained. In the latter case, an opening 

 of the os uteri, and a dilatation of the canal of the cervix, are 

 commonly supposed to take place. If this is to be regarded 

 as a spontaneous action of the cervix, it would be justifiable, 

 with Kiwisch (1. c. p. 103), to refuse assent to the supposition, 

 for the radiating fibres described by Kasper, which alone could 

 effect anything of the kind, do not exist; the fact, nevertheless, 

 is conceivable, if we assume a relaxation of the muscular element 

 in the cervix and os, together with a contraction, especially of 

 the longitudinal fibres in the fundus and body. In comparing 

 the uterus, as respects the disposition of its muscular element 

 and its movements, with other organs, none affords so apt 

 a comparison as the bladder, in which the muscular tissue is 

 arranged essentially in the same way, and a physiological anta- 

 gonism exists between the superior and inferior portions. The 

 sensibility of the uterus, and of the internal parts of the female 

 genital organs in general, is very slight ; careful sounding of 

 the uterine cavity causes no sensation ; in like manner, contact 

 with the vaginal portion is, frequently, scarcely felt, whilst 

 these parts give pain upon more powerful pressure or traction, 

 and when in a state of inflammation. The sensibility of the 



