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XI. Observations on the functions of the Intestinal canal and Liver of the human 

 Foetus. By Robert Lee, M.D., Physician to the British Lying-in-Hospital. 

 Communicated by Dr. Prout, F.R.S. 



Read Jiftie 19, 1828. 



W^HILE investigating the mode of developement of the organs in the human 

 foetus, at the different periods of utero-gestation, I was struck with the ap- 

 pearances which were uniformly met with in the contents of the intestinal 

 canal. As these appearances have only been vaguely noticed by physiologists, 

 and as they seem to throw light on some obscure processes of the foetal oeco- 

 nomy, I have been induced to offer the following account of my observations 

 on this subject to the consideration of the Royal Society. 



It has not yet been determined what are the organs which are first developed 

 in the human foetus, but it is certain that the liver and intestines are visible 

 at a very early period, that these organs are copiously supplied with blood, 

 and that, during the whole period of gestation, they occupy a large portion of 

 the abdominal cavity. The pancreas and spleen can also be distinctly perceived 

 between the second and third month after conception, but, unlike the liver and 

 intestines, they are very sparingly supplied with blood, and remain small and 

 imperfectly developed during the existence of the child in utero. In all the 

 intermediate periods, from the fourth to the end of the ninth month, the small 

 intestines are much more vascular than the stomach and great intestines. The 

 mucous membrane of the upper portion of the small intestines, is of a bright 

 rose-red colour ; while that of the ileum and colon is comparatively pale and 

 bloodless. In a foetus of eight months, the length of whose body was 

 eighteen inches, the small intestines, when fully extended, measured nine feet 

 six inches, and the great intestines two feet ; and from other examinations 

 I have been led to estimate the entire length of the intestinal canal of the 

 foetus, at the full period, at about eleven feet ; the relative proportion to the 

 length of the body being much greater than in the adult. 



MDCCCXXIX. R 



