A system of obstetrics / A. Auvard.

  • Auvard, Dr. (Alfred), 1855-
Date:
1898
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A system of obstetrics / A. Auvard. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    for the human female; he also believes that if the meeting takes place nearer the uterus fecundation is not possible, for in pene- trating thus far the ovule becomes so coated with albumen as to become impermeable. Let us take the ovule at the surf ace of the ovary and the sperma- tozoid at the entrance of the uterus, and follow these elements to the point of meeting, in the external third of the tube, studying their mode of progression. We have four theories : One, of the progression of the spermatozoid by capillary action (Coste, hoiegeois); one, as to the action of the vibratile cilia | Muller); another, as to the movement of aspiration made by the uterus at the end of coition (Eiolan, Morgan), and a fourth, a supposition that the spermatozoids are capable of inde- pendent migration by virtue of the rapid progression revealed under the microscope. Thus we are in the presence of four theories that render quite plain the progress of the spermatozoid. It has been objected that ciliated cells do not exist in the whole extent of the genital organs ; that aspiration cannot be exerted in a cancerous uterus; that in certain animals fecundation is possible although the spermatozoids are not mobile. These are simple objections of detail which show us that one of these causes may be deficient or absent without impeding fecundation. It appears rational to admit that capillary action, the vibratile cilia, uterine aspiration and the movements of the spermatozoids are conjoined in aiding the progress of the male element in the interior of the female genital organs. All these theories are true in part, but no one of them should be admitted to the exclusion of the rest. With regard to the ovule, the problem to be solved is the manner in which it passes from the surface of the ovary to the external third of the tube. The distance is short and yet the difficulty is great, for the route is not continuous. The surface of the ovary, like the pavilion of the tube, floats in the great peritomeal cavity. The ovule then passes from one to the other, much as a projectile is thrown from one point to another in the atmosphere. Attempts have been made to explain this migration in five different ways: 1. Heller and Eouget believe that, at the moment of dehiscence of an ovisac, the pavilion of the tube, free in the usual state, applies itself on the ovary and exactly encloses it. The ovule is thus en- grossed and gathered into the tube at its issue from the ovisac. 2. Kehrer advances the theory of the projection of the ovule into the pavilion of the tube by an impulse given it from the bursting of the Graaffian follicle. I do not believe in this fantastic theory. 3. The ligament which unites the ovary to the pavilion is slightly hollowed out on its upper surface in the form of a trough; Henle interprets this anatomical disposition by giving us the opinion that