THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEYER'S PATCHES

On the basis of numerous serial sections of human embryos and whole intestines from individuals of the most varied ages, the development, number, and size as well as the distribution and arrangement of the Peyers patches were studied and the findings attested by various measurements. Two types of Peyers patches were found, the difference between which is due to their development, but which are to be distinguished also by their position with respect to the mesentery and by their morphological differences. It was also found that the part of the embryonic intestine occupied by diverticula makes up a relatively smaller part of the whole small intestine than the corresponding part later occupied by Peyers patches. This permits the conclusion that the part of the small intestine that is free of diverticula has a slighter growth in length than the rest.