APPENDIX
E
THE
FUNCTION OF THE CORPUS LUTEUM*
To
the Editor of the “Medical Record.”
Sir,
Your
issue of June 25, 1910, just to hand, contains an article, being a summary of
original research, on this subject from the pen of Professor Leo Loeb. On p.
1086 we read “Thus far we had progressed in our work, when we found in the
literature a communication by J. Beard. in which this author gave expression to
the hypothesis that the corpus luteum might have the function of preventing
the rupture of the follicles during pregnancy. He did not undertake to prove
this suggestion, and his hypothesis does not absolutely correspond to reality.
The corpus luteum has a wider function than he conceived of; it not only
prevents ovulation during pregnancy, but it delays ovulation also in non-pregnant
animals. It changes the sexual cycle—a conception rather contrary to what Beard
assumed. But, notwithstanding these imperfections in his hypothetical
conclusions, we cannot but express our admiration for the scientific
imagination of Beard. He has not received his due recognition, and what now has
proved to be correct in his hypothesis we find in the literature without
justification attributed to others—a mistake transmitted from one writer to
another, and a marked example of a not uncommon occurrence.” In the first
place, the reference given by Dr. Loeb is to
* Reprinted from the Medical Record,
July 30, 1910.
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