THE SPLEEN 245 



case it forms the adenoid growths which are so common in strumous 

 children. 



Viewing the several tonsils and the associated lymphoid tissue as a 

 whole, it will be perceived that they constitute a lymphoid ring at the 

 gateway to the alimentary and respiratory tracts. The function of the 

 lymphoid tissue is to produce phagocytic leukocytes for the protection of 

 the body against bacteria and other noxious products. The tonsillar crypts 

 offer favorable foci for the lodgment, invasion and attack of such harmful 

 elements. The location of this annular mass of lymphoid tissue is signifi- 

 cant; it is placed where it can apparently best perform a necessary func- 

 tion. When called upon to increase its functional activity lymphoid tissue 

 responds by hypertrophy; this of itself may cause inconvenience by ob- 

 structing the channels employed in respiration and phonation. But when 

 unable to respond adequately and thus successfully cope with the infecting 

 material, the tonsils become diseased. This is commonly considered to call 

 for removal of the involved lymphoid masses. But it would seem that the 

 excision of the tonsils would result in handicapping the organism in its 

 perpetual combat with bacteria, by depriving it of a means of defense; 

 moreover in the case of removal of the faucial tonsils, proper phonation may 

 also be interfered with. However, excised tonsillar tissue is probably 

 largely compensated for by regeneration and hypertrophy of other non- 

 involved lymphoid tissue. Nevertheless it has been suggested that much 

 could be gained through prophylactic means consisting largely perhaps in 

 the promotion of mouth breathing and the prevention of chronic nasal cold 

 in infants. 



THE SPLEEN 



Structure. The spleen is the largest lymphoid organ of the body. 

 It is located to the left and dorsally between the stomach and diaphragm, 

 has an irregular oval outline, measures about five inches in length and 

 three inches in thickness, and weighs about seven ounces. It is subject 

 to great variations in size and shape. It is enveloped by a thick fibro- 

 elastic capsule, or tunica alljuginea, containing smooth muscle in its 

 inner portion. External to this is also a peritoneal investment, or tunica 

 serosa. The capsule of the spleen of the ox is especially robust, and 

 rich in smooth muscle. At one point, the hilum, the capsule projects 

 into the spleen as a large mass of trabecular tissue. Over the entire 

 surface also other trabeculse project from the capsule into the paren- 

 chyma of the organ. These trabeculas are of similar structure to the 

 capsule. The supporting tissue of the parenchyma is a delicate reticu- 



