Femina, A Work for Every Woman — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Femina, A Work for Every Woman
John Stuart Mill · en
Growth of the uterus from the moment of conception is one of the most
interesting physiological studies. All its tissues, muscles, nerves,
vessels, and lymphatics are increased in bulk and multiplied in number.
The human ovum is an extremely minute microscopic cell, from one
two-hundred-and-fortieth to one one-hundred-and-twentieth of an inch in
diameter. This grows so rapidly that at the end of nine months we often
have the average nine-pound baby. The growth of the muscular fibers of
the womb is truly remarkable. They grow eleven times longer and twice
to four times thicker, so that the growth of the womb keeps pace with
that of the child.
Changes immediately after confinement. Women as a rule, and their
husbands also, are wofully ignorant of the condition of the womb just
after confinement, and at this point it will be opportune to impart the
necessary information illustrating that it is one of the most critical
periods of the entire process, because the pelvic organs are again very
sensitive, somewhat akin to the menstrual condition, namely, one of
engorgement, or congestion.
After the child is in the world, the uterus usually contracts to about
the size of a cocoanut; its measurements and weight as compared with
what it was before pregnancy have materially increased.
The diameter is now about four inches, and its weight a little over two
pounds. If we now stop to reflect that its weight was formerly an ounce
to an ounce and a half, to which size and weight it must again return,
we can readily appreciate the important changes that must take place
to accomplish this object. The scientific world has only learned how
this is effected within the last thirty years. It was a very important
discovery. The superfluous or excessive tissues are converted into
fat—the process is called _fatty degeneration_—and as fat the tissues
are absorbed into the blood and disposed of, and thus gradually is the
superabundant substance removed, until its measurements are as they
were formerly and its weight as it was before.
Involution is the name given to this process by medical writers.
It signifies a rolling back of the size and substance of the womb
to where it was before pregnancy. It is the physiological activity
in the tissues of the organ to restore it to its former size and
healthfulness. The time usually required for nature to accomplish this
remodeling varies in different individuals from six weeks to three
months.
Subinvolution is a term employed to designate a partial or complete
cessation of this restorative action. The prefix _sub_ means always
_under_; in this case the same thing is meant, _under-involution_ or
_incomplete_ involution.