XVI. On the nerves of the uterus

Abstract

I N February 1843, during the examination of the body of a woman who died from uterine haemorrhage immediately after delivery, it occurred to me that the uterus afforded a good opportunity for examining the condition of the nerves in the impregnated state, to which attention had been directed by Dr. Robert Lee in communications to this Society in the years 1841 and 1842. With the view of confirming the researches of Dr. Lee, I commenced the dissection of the nerves of the gravid uterus, but found so many points at variance with his published statements* and the nerves so small, considering the size of the organ, that it appeared very doubtful whether or not they had increased in size during pregnancy; but in order to arrive at a correct conclusion on this point, a comparison of the nerves of the unimpregnated with those of the gravid uterus was indispensable; and in the following year I commenced a dissection of the nerves of the unimpregnated uterus and of the neighbouring organs.