Amniotic fluid as a possible factor in the etiology of eclampsia

Abstract 1.1. In a series of ten female rabbits given intravenous injections of preparations of amniotic fluid of the rabbit, three had convulsive seizures and died. The others developed no symptoms recognizable by observation. The death of two of the animals appeared to be due to pulmonary embolism resulting from epithelial cells contained in the fluid injected. The other animal received fluid presumably free from emboli. The cause of its death remains undetermined. 2.2. Human amniotic fluid may contain abundance of material which, if injected into the blood stream, could produce embolism. 3.3. The theory is suggested that eclampsia may be due to the sudden accidental injection of a considerable amount of amniotic fluid into the maternal blood stream.