I. Frozen sections through uterus of woman dying during third stage of labor, illustrating mechanism of placental separation and extrusion. II. Frozen sections through uterus of woman dying from central placenta previa, following Braxton-Hicks version

Abstract

HESE specimens a,re of considerable pathologic interest, but since they have been so clearly reprodueed in the accompanying illustrations by Mr. W. B. McNett of Johns Hopkins it is necessary to do little more than briefly outline the history of each ease, and point out in an explanatory way certain particularly important features of each specimen. CASE L--Mm. D. W. H. (Hosp. No. 6X7-1916) was B primipara, nineteen yea,r~ of age. Upon admission to the hospital she was moribund with advanced edema of the lungs7 dyspnea, a pulse rate inaccurately determined at about 160, and in fact, every symptom of acute cardiac decompensation. The head of a six and a half months’ fetus was shov>-ing at the vulva, and had been visible for one hour previous to admission, according to the report of Dr. J. N. Stanton ~rho had been called to see the1 patient for the first time a few hours earlier. The symptoms developed acutely at 3 A. Y., this being about the time her labor began. She entered the’ hospital at 6:45 A. N., and without anesthesia the head was lifted out with forceps a few minutes later, the patient dying two minutes after the birth of the fetus (7~30 A. TE.). The autopsy showed edema throughout both lungs, acute exacerbation of chronic nephritis, and acute dilatation of the heart. The uterus with the placenta h sitzb, the bladder, part of the vagina and rectum were removed, frozen and longitudinal sections cut.