654 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



as the alimentary tract is formed and the pharynx opens, 

 the fetus commences to swallow but does not defecate. The 

 amniotic fluid is constantly swallowed along with any ex- 

 foliated epidermic scales or other solids suspended in the 

 fluid. Before hairs are macroscopically visible, meconium 

 examined under a low-power lens reveals tiny short hairs 

 which have been shed and then swallowed. Bacteria which 

 have invaded the amniotic fluid are also swallowed. The 

 swallowed liquor amnii is promptly absorbed by the intes- 

 tines, enters the fetal lymph or blood stream, and later pre- 

 sumably returns to the amniotic sac. The solids, such as 

 hairs, bacteria and epithelial scales, remain behind in the 

 intestinal canal as in a cesspool, to constitute the meconium. 

 Since physiologically the fetus does not defecate and con- 

 stantly swallows its amniotic fluid, filtering it through the 

 intestinal walls, it follows that this is regularly clear, while 

 the allantoic fluid is frequently turbid. 



But the fetus, like the living calf, does not always travel 

 serenely along the physiologic path. Nearly half the uteri 

 of pregnant abattoir cows contain bacteria which have the 

 power to, and do penetrate the chorion, contaminate the am- 

 niotic fluid, and are swallowed by the fetus. There are 

 found, thus swallowed, streptococci, colon bacilli, micro- 

 cocci, B. abortus, and other bacteria. Physiologically this 

 should not be. Their presence does not necessarily cause dis- 

 aster. Up to a considerable volume the walls of the cesspool 

 — ^the alimentary epithelium — perhaps aided by the biliary 

 or other secretions and probably favored by the marked 

 desiccation of the meconium, render powerless the bacteria 

 present. 



The power of the fetal intestine, like that of the adult, has 

 its limitations. If the volume of bacteria is too great, or 

 the virulence too high, the restraining power of the intes- 

 tine may break down. If the fetus is weakened, owing to a 

 disturbance of its nutrition, its control over resident infec- 

 tion may be lost. Thus, when placentitis is present, the nu- 

 trition of the fetus is crippled and harmful products, due 

 to the infection in the placenta, reach the fetal circulation. 



