190 
CASE OF ENORMOUS TUMOUR. 
Autopsy eight Hours after Death. 
An incision being made in the direction of the linea alba, no 
sooner were the parietes of the abdomen cut through, than a large 
quantity of serum escaped. The intestines manifested no dis- 
eased appearance, either in themselves, or the peritoneum 
covering them, neither did the reflected portion of the membrane 
shew any. As, however, the intestines separated, a large mass 
of rather dark colour, in size and shape, bearing a very close 
resemblance to a gravid uterus, presented itself. Its dark colour 
appeared to be owing to inflammation, as though caused by the 
presence of a dead foetus. Even the outward touch communicated 
to the hand this impression. 
Likewise, the situation in the abdomen was precisely that of 
the impregnated womb. The tumour reached from the brim of the 
pelvis forwards towards the diaphragm, the anterior portion dip- 
ping down towards the umbilicus. Nor did there, at this stage of 
the examination, seem to exist any other connexions save those 
belonging to the uterus. The whole contents of the abdomen were 
now removed in the usual way. 
The intestines were carefully dissected from around the tumid 
mass ; through which, now insulated, a longitudinal incision was 
made, when the nature of this so long doubtful affair began to 
develope itself. The external covering proved to be peritoneum ; 
beneath which was a layer, about half an inch thick, of delicate 
cellular tissue, infiltrated with gelatinous serum, and tinged with 
venous blood. Cutting deeper, the mass was found composed of 
a number of large and small cells, disposed in lobes firmly held to- 
gether, which were filled variously, some with laminated fibrine, 
some with grumous blood, others with both matters in combina- 
tion. One lobe, rather smaller than the others, was composed of 
several small cells, partly cartilaginous, and filled with bright 
yellow coagulated serum. In another, of similar character, the 
cartilaginous portions had become osseous. There was no ap- 
pearance of aneurismal sac, nor did there seem to be any vessel 
having a direct opening into any of the cells : it seemed as though 
there had been a gradual oozing out from the minute vessels. The 
entire mass was made up of these various lobes and their cells. 
The question next to decide was, the organ that was the seat of 
such extensive disease. Was it the ovary 1 cornu uteri 1 the 
body of the uterus ] — or what was it 1 Here, at first, seemed a 
great difficulty. At last, after a close search, we found both 
ovaries, the cornu and body of the uterus, all which parts were 
