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A new machine has been developed to measure heat dissipated in the tissues especially by convection linked to the blood flow. Its use is simple and without any danger as far as application to the pregnant cervix goes. New discoveries are presented. A new concept of the micro-circulation is considered together with the consequences. The practitioner may be able to draw conclusions as to the prognosis, as to whether a small-for-dates fetus together with or without premature labour is likely. This depends on the tracings obtained which register the intrinsic activity of the periarteriolar muscles.

The use of heparin to interfere with the appearance of fetal maldevelopment (or to correct it) is logical but the results are difficult to prove because it is difficult to be certain of early diagnosis at the time when therapy has the best chances of being efficacious. The authors compare two groups of pregnant women in whom the muscular vascular tone of the cervix is abolished. The second group was treated with heparin. The results are statistically significant and prove that treatment with heparin is well based in cases of underdevelopment of the fetus when it is due to abnormalities in the maternal microscopic circulation (acute atherosis). They confirm that the enzyme, hormone and ultrasound parameters return to normal from the beginning of treatment with heparin.