658 SPECIAL HISTOLOGY. 



very active movements cannot be doubted, from the results of vivisec- 

 tions in animals, and microscopical researches in Man ; and in opposi- 

 tion to V. Kiwisch (" Geburtskunde," p. 96) I do not understand why 

 their application to the ovaries should not be brought about by move- 

 ments 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 par- 

 turition, very energetic, but take place even at other times. The mus- 

 cular 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 con- 

 tract, 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, neverthe- 

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

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

 gitudinal 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 phy- 

 siological antagonism exists between the superior and inferior portions. 

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



e/ A 



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

 cavity causes no sensation ; in like manner, contact with the vaginal por- 

 tion 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 vagina increases towards the inferior portion ; and as 

 regards the external organs, the clitoris is rendered especially susceptible 

 of sensation, by its abundant supply of nerves, as is also the entrance 

 to the vagina, particularly at the orifices of the glands of Bartholini or 

 Duverney. 



The secretions of the female genital organs, except those of the ova- 



