394 The Correlation of the Ovarian and Uterine Functions. 



It was likewise impossible to determine definitely whether there was any 

 increase of ovarian activity consequent upon hysterectomy (such as one 

 would infer if Bond's theory of an antagonistic uterine secretion were correct), 

 hut we failed to discover any clear indication of its existence. 



Summary of Conclusions. 

 The results obtained by these experiments lead us to summarise our 

 conclusions as follows : — 



1. The removal of the ovaries in young animals (rodents) prevents the 

 development of the uterus and Fallopian tubes. These remain in an infantile 

 condition. The subsequent growth and general nutrition of the animals seem 

 to be unaffected. 



2. The removal of the ovaries in adult animals (rodents) leads to fibrous 

 degeneration of the uterus and Eallopian tubes (most marked in the mucous 

 membrane). The animals' subsequent health and nutrition remain good. 



These observations, for the most part, support the evidence obtained 

 clinically in the human subject after surgical operation. 



3. The removal of the uterus in a young animal has no influence in 

 preventing the further development of the ovaries. These are capable of 

 ovulating and forming corpora lutea after adult life has been reached. 



4. The removal of the uterus in an adult animal does not give rise to any 

 degenerative change in the ovaries, if the vascular connections of the latter 

 remain intact. 



These latter observations do not support the contentions of those surgeons 

 who advocate sub-total hysterectomy, believing that the functional activity 

 of the ovary is in some way dependent on the presence of the uterus. 



The expenses of this investigation were defrayed by grants from the 

 Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. 



LITERATUEE. 



Elair Bell, ' Liverpool Medico-Chirurgical Journal,' July, 1906. 



Bond, 'Brit. Med. Journ.,' July 21, 1906. 



Carmichael, ' Journ. Obstet. and Gynsec.,' March, 1907. 



Doran, ' Lancet,' November 4, 1905. 



Heape, ' Quart. Journ. Micr. Sci.,' vol. 44, November, 1900. 



Holzbach, < Arch. f. Gynak.,' vol. 80, 1906. 



Loewenthal, ' Arch. f. Gynak.,' vol. 24, 1884. 



Mandl and Burger, 'Die Biologische Bedeutung der Eierstocke nach Entfernung der 



Gebarmutter,' Leipzig, 1904. 

 Marshall and Jolly, ' Roy. Soc. Edin. Trans.,' vol. 45, 1907, and ' Edinburgh Med. Journ.,' 



March, 1907. 

 Pozzi, ' Annales de Gynec. et d'Obstet.,' December, 1905. 

 Zweifel, ' Zentralb. f. Gynak.,' No. 21, 1899. 



