On the Tonus of the Uterus in Toxaemia of Late Pregnancy, Recorded by Lóránd Tocograph

Vascular Reactivity in Normal Pregnancy and in Pregnancies Complicated by Hypertension

“…The uterine activity increases not only at the beginning of labor, but also in connection with toxemia. 7,12 Whether this could mean that the changes in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system were even more extensively connected with the changes taking place in the smooth muscles during pregnancy remains to be studied.…”

Discussion on the Ætiology of Pre-Eclampsia

“…Evidence that the uterine stimulus originates in the resistance to stretch of the myometrium is both direct and indirect. Uterine tone has been shown to be raised in hydramnios [23], in toxemic pregnancy [24], in concealed accidental himorrhage [25] and also in hydatidiform mole in which Acosta-Sison [26] has drawn attention to the association of the height of the uterus with the severity of the toxaemia, an implication of increased regression also present in primiparity indicating increased myometrial tension [37]. Apart from this direct evidence, puncture of the membranes in pre-eclampsia [27] and oliguria [28] is associated with clinical improvement before labour commences, while introduction of a hydrostatic bag for purposes of induction in toxaemia has been observed at least on one occasion to precipitate anuria.…”