244 OF THE FUNCTION 



and compared to the corpora cavernosa of the penis. 

 This opinion was proved to be erroneous by more 

 careful examination of the human spleen,* which con- 

 sists entirely of blood vessels, of enormous size in 

 comparison with the bulk of the organ. They are in 

 fact proportionally more considerable than in any other 

 part of the body. 



392. The experiments of Wintringham demonstrate 

 the great tenuity and strength of the coats of the splenic 

 artery. It is divided into an infinite number of twigs, 

 the terminations of which resemble pulpy penicilli and 

 give rise to the splenic veins, which gradually unite 

 into large, loose, and easily dilatable, trunks. 



393. This immense congeries of blood vessels is con- 



o 



nected and supported by a sparing cellular parenchyma, 

 from which the absorbents arise. The trunks of these 

 run along the lower surface of the spleen between the 

 two coats just described.f 



394. This loose structure of the spleen, easily be- 

 coming distended with blood, admirably confirms what 

 we formerly remarked respecting the turgor of this 

 organ (390). The congestion and slow return of the 

 splenic blood, if the nature of the neighbouring organs 

 is also taken into consideration, illustrates its peculiar 

 properties, which may throw some light upon the func- 

 tion of this enigmatical viscus the source of so much 

 controversy. 



* Lobstein's Dissertation, nonnulla de Liene sistens. Argent. 1774. 4to. 



t The singular and rather paradoxical opinions of Hewson, without doubt, a 



very superior man, respecting the functions of the spleen, whose lymphatic 



vessels he regards as excretory ducts, may be found in his posthumous work 



entitled Experimental Inquiries. Third edition. London. 1777. 8vo. C. ii. 



' S. xlv S(|. xrv s<|. 



