Observations on Abortion

By abortion is generally understood the expulsion of the contents of the gravid uterus, at a period of gestation so early as to render it impossible for the fœtus to live. It is an accident or disease which is very frequent in its occurrence, which is always attended with disagreeable circumstances, and which, although it seldom prove immediately fatal, may yet be productive of much mischief at a future 2time.

The human uterus, in the unimpregnated state, consists of a succulent substance, in which we may perceive fibres 3running in every direction. In the interstices of these we find a serous fluid, which can easily be squeezed out. By injecting the vessels finely with size or mercury, we observe them to be numerously intermixed with the fibres, but very small.