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XI. Observations on the functions of the Intestinal canal and Liver of the human 
Foetus. By Robert Lee, 31. D., Physician to the British Lying-in-Hospital. 
Communicated by Or. Prout, F.R.S. 
Read June 19, 1828. 
W HILE investigating the mode of developement of the organs in the human 
foetus, at the different periods of utero-gestation, I was struck with the ap- 
pearances which were uniformly met with in the contents of the intestinal 
canal. As these appearances have only been vaguely noticed by physiologists, 
and as they seem to throw light on some obscure processes of the foetal ceco- 
nomy, I have been induced to offer the following account of my observations 
on this subject to the consideration of the Royal Society. 
It has not yet been determined what are the organs which are first developed 
in the human foetus, but it is certain that the liver and intestines are visible 
at a very early period, that these organs are copiously supplied with blood, 
and that, during the whole period of gestation, they occupy a large portion of 
the abdominal cavity. The pancreas and spleen can also be distinctly perceived 
between the second and third month after conception, but, unlike the liver and 
intestines, they are very sparingly supplied with blood, and remain small and 
imperfectly developed during the existence of the child in utero. In all the 
intermediate periods, from the fourth to the end of the ninth month, the small 
intestines are much more vascular than the stomach and great intestines. The 
mucous membrane of the upper portion of the small intestines, is of a bright 
rose-red colour ; while that of the ileum and colon is comparatively pale and 
bloodless. In a foetus of eight months, the length of whose body was 
eighteen inches, the small intestines, when fully extended, measured nine feet 
six inches, and the great intestines two feet ; and from other examinations 
I have been led to estimate the entire length of the intestinal canal of the 
foetus, at the full period, at about eleven feet ; the relative proportion to the 
length of the body being much greater than in the adult. 
MDCCCXXIX. 
R 
