574 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1774. 



decisive; for here the impregnated uterus had not the smallest communication 

 with the left ovarium or tube, and yet it contained a female foetus. 



The septum was not merely membranous, but fleshy, and of a considerable 

 thickness ; and, like most other mediastina in the human body, consisted of 2 

 laminae combined. Of these each vagina furnished one ; for each had its own 

 constrictor, and being completely surrounded by muscular fibres, had a power 

 of contraction independent of the other, which could not be effected if both 

 vaginae were comprehended within the same muscular rings, and separated by a 

 membrane incapable of action. 



It has been the opinion of many modern authors of the first reputation, that 

 the fundus is that part of the womb, whose extent increases, in the greatest 

 proportion during pregnancy ; and on this supposition they have founded various 

 theories. One of the principal arguments which they propose in support of 

 their opinion, is, that the insertion of the Fallopian tubes is removed from the 

 angles of the uterus, and gradually descends towards its neck ; so that a short 

 time before delivery they are at a very great .distance from their former position. 

 Haller does not attempt to deny these facts ; but mentions 3 instances where the 

 tubes did not change their place. But Petit, in his Memoire on the cause and 

 mechanism of child-birth, is clearly of opinion, that the whole doctrine is des- 

 titute of foundation. He asserts, that the fundus increases less than any other 

 part, and that the surprizing growth of the womb is effected by fresh supplies of 

 fibres, successively furnished by the neck and parts adjoining. As a decisive 

 proof, he insists that the insertion of the tubes continues nearly in the same 

 place, and accounts for the error of the abovementioned authors by observing, 

 that as the fundus is pushed upwards by the growth of the other parts, a greater 

 portion of the tubes will adhere to the surface of the womb, and thus the appa- 

 rent place of insertion be very far distant from the real one. This remark is 

 verified in the present instance ; for the tube at first sight appeared to penetrate 

 into the middle of the uterus ; but on a closer inspection, and by introducing a 

 bristle, it was found to run for a considerable space between it and the coat 

 which it receives from the peritonaeum, and at length to enter into its cavity, not 

 very far from the spot which it may be supposed to have occupied before 

 impregnation. 



With regard to superfoetation, it is evident how easily it might have been 

 effected in the present subject ; and the supposition of a double uterus can readily 

 account for it on many other occasions. But this is a matter on which it would 

 be needless to dwell any longer, as it has been very fully treated in Gravel's Dis- 

 sertation, published in Haller's Collection ; where we meet with a similar instance 

 of 2 uteri and a vagina, the anterior part of which was divided by a septum, 

 but whose posterior portion was single, where the septum was discontinued. 



