SECT. XXXVIII.*. OXYGENATION OF BLOOD. $41 



he faw a monftrous lamb, which had no mouth, but 

 initead of it was furnifhed with an opening in the 

 lower part of the neck into the ftomach. Both 

 thefe inftances evidently favour the do&rine of the 

 fetus being nouriilied by the mouth ; as otherwife 

 there had b^en no neceflity for new or unnatural 

 apertures into the flomach, when the natural ones 

 were deficient. 



From thefe facls and obfervations we may fafely 

 infer, that the fetus in the womb is nourifhed by the 

 fluid which furrounds it; which during the firft 

 period of geftation is abforbed by the naked lac- 

 teals ; and is afterwards fvvallowed into the ftomach 

 and bowels, when thefe organs are perfected ; and 

 laftly that the placenta is an organ for the purpofe 

 of giving due oxygenation to the blood of the fetus ; 

 which is more neceffary, or at lead more frequently 

 neceflfary, than even the fupply of food. 



The queltion of the great Harvey becomes thus 

 eafily anfwered. <c Why is not the fetus in the 

 womb fuiTocated for want of air, when it remains 

 there even to the tenth month without lefpiration; 

 yet if it be born in the feventh or eighth month, 

 and has once refpired, it becomes immediately fuf- 

 focated for want of air, if its refpi ration be ob- 

 ftruded ?" 



For further information on this fubjeft, the reader 

 is referred to the Tentamen Medicum of Dr. JefFray, 

 printed at Edinburgh in 1786. And it is hoped 

 that Dr. French will fome time give his thefes on 

 this fubjedt to the public. 



Nn a SECT 



