embryo extract a serous-lymphatic whitish nutritional serum 

 from the maternal arterial blood vessels which are located 

 between the placenta and the uterus. By attaining this stage 

 of development when the fetus is increasing to a size that 

 requires a large stock of blood, it begins preparing special 

 blood from the chyle juice" (chylus). 3 ° In Pavlov's opinion, 

 Wenssowitsch's hypothesis did not resolve all the doubtful 

 questions and did not reject the third point of view of fetal 

 nutrition (nutrition by the amniotic fluid) . This latter point 

 of view assumes the intake of amniotic fluid through the 

 mouth, through the skin, or through both. Pavlov compared 

 arguments for and against the different opinions, in two 

 columns divided longitudinally on the page. There is reason 

 to trace this entire discussion, as it is sufficient to 

 illustrate individual points. 



1. Fetus does not breathe, 

 and without breathing, 

 swallowing is impossible. 



In case of absence or 

 interruption of breathing, 

 the possibility of swallow- 

 ing is not excluded (the 

 opinion of Maksimovich- 

 Ambodik) . 



2. Mouth of the fetus, in 

 the natural condition, 

 is closed. 



Observations of Meerheim 

 are given stating that on 

 the introduction of the 

 finger into the uterus 

 after the destruction of 

 the fetal membrane, the 

 fetus takes this finger in 

 its mouth and compresses 

 its lips. Besides, if the 

 mouth of the fetus is 

 closed, then the amniotic 

 fluid can penetrate through 

 the nostrils. 



38. Wenssowitsch evidently considered, however, that the 

 amniotic fluid serves also to protect the fetus; and 

 of its nutrition he said in the fourth thesis of his 

 dissertation: "Probabile est, liquorem amnii, praeter 

 defensionem foetus inservire quoque ad nutritionem 

 ejusdem. " 



165 



