832 THE FEMALE GENITAL TRACT. 



other shreds from the cavity, and handed them to another microscopist, Dr. 

 Dd., of this city, being known as a reliable man. He diagnosed cicatricial tis- 

 sue. The tumor was then given him, and the diagnosis was colloid cancer. 



MICROSCOPICAL STUDIES ON THE CATAMENIAL DECIDUA. 

 BY JEANNETTE B. GREENE, M. D., NEW-YORK.* 



At the present time, it is agreed by all histologists that no new formation 

 of a tissue can take place except through embryonal elements. Morbid, as 

 well as normal tissues, develop from an original indifferent or medullary for- 

 mation, which is known to constitute the body of the animal embryo in the 

 earliest stages of its existence. 



Whenever one tissue is about to be transformed into another, the original 

 one first breaks down into medullary elements that is, it falls back into the 

 earliest stage of embryonal development from which a new tissue may 

 arise. 



The same process invariably takes place when, from an original normal 

 tissue, a new formation starts. This new formation may be inflammatory in 

 its nature, and, as such, limited in its course ; or it may be a new formation 

 without typical termination a so-called neoplasm or tumor ; it makes no 

 difference, the process is the same. 



The peculiar condition which sometimes occurs at the menstrual period, 

 producing membranous discharges, called "decidua catamenialis " or "dys- 

 menorrhea membranacea," is known to be a new formation from the mu- 

 cous membrane of either the uterus or vagina, or both. This process is inde- 

 pendent of pregnancy. It is observed only at the time of menstruation, and 

 is unquestionably caused by an irritation of the mucosa of the genital tract. 

 This irritation is a constituent part of normal menstruation, and, as well- 

 observed cases show, the only process which takes place whenever both ova- 

 ries are absent. This irritation must reach a higher degree than in normal 

 menstruation, in order to produce a menstrual decidua. 



My purpose is to present the anatomical features of uterine decidual mem- 

 branes. The materials for my studies were found in the laboratory of Dr. 

 Heitzmann, of this city; they consisted of five specimens. These had 

 been preserved in alcohol, and, a few weeks before examination, had been 

 placed in a weak solution of chromic acid about one-sixth per cent. After 

 sufficient hardening, the specimens were imbedded in a mixture of wax and 

 paraffin, and were cut into thin sections for microscopical examination. 



Under the microscope, all the specimens proved to be composed of medul- 

 lary corpuscles and a relatively small amount of basis-substance, the latter in 

 its myxomatous and fibrous varieties. The fibrous exhibited both the reticu- 

 lar arrangement and that of bundles composed of fine fusiform bodies in the 

 earliest stage of development. 



In all specimens, glandular formations of a tubular nature were present, 

 lined by columnar ciliated epithelia very probably the remains of original 

 utricular glands, and not newly formed. 



Under a power of five hundred diameters the medullary corpuscles pre- 

 sented mostly a globular shape ; the globules were somewhat flattened at 



Abstract ol the author's essay. The American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of 

 Women and Children, vol. xv., April, 1882. 



