280 INANITION AND MALNUTRITION 



restores the normal structure in about 15 days, probably by mitoses of the 

 remaining lymphocytes. Jolly ('14) concluded that in fasting puppies and rab- 

 bits the effects in the spleen are greater than those in the lymphoid organs gener- 

 ally, excepting the thymus (and the bursa of Fabricius in birds). In guinea 

 pigs subjected to acute (complete) or chronic (incomplete) total inanition, 

 Rondoni and Montagnani ('15) found the spleen greatly reduced in size by 

 atrophy of the lymphoid tissue in the splenic pulp and Malpighian nodules. 

 The trabeculae and supporting tissue become more prominent, being relatively, 

 if not absolutely, increased in amount. 



In 3 albino rats starved on water only, Sundwall ('17) found in the spleen: 

 " prominent capsule ; trabeculae appear very much thickened ; extreme congestion ; 

 reduction in areas to complete disappearance of Malpighian follicles as a result 

 of the congestion, and hyperplasia of endothelial cells; the latter are filled with 

 red blood cells and pigment hemoglobin and hemosiderin." Asada ('19) found 

 congestion of the blood vessels and striking pigmentation of the spleen in rabbits 

 after 10 days of total inanition. 



Inlow ('22) described the capsule of the atrophic spleen in starved dogs as 

 shrunken and thinned, with compact structure, hyalin appearance and few 

 nuclei. The trabeculae become more conspicuous through comparatively 

 greater atrophy of the parenchyma. The cytoplasm of the pulp cells and sup- 

 porting tissue has largely disappeared, so the pulp nuclei are closely packed. The 

 number of lymphocytes outside the Malpighian nodules is markedly decreased; 

 cells of large size predominate. The Malpighian nodules and their germinal 

 centers appear more definitely delimited. The larger blood vessels appear 

 normal; the splenic sinuses are smaller, but distinct. The free blood pigment 

 in the pulp is increased in amount. The atrophic changes in the spleen appear 

 roughly proportional to the length of the inanition and the loss in body weight. 



In the fasting rabbit, Okuneff ('23) described a diminution in the number of 

 the lymphoid splenic cells; but they remain unchanged in size and mitochondrial 

 content. 



Figures 77 and 78 represent the histological changes in the spleen of the 

 albino rat during acute inanition. 



Papers dealing with chemical changes (especially water-content) of the 

 spleen during general inanition include those of Lukianow ('88) in pigeons, 

 Tonninga ('93) in rats and rabbits, and Roger ('07) in rabbits. Those concern- 

 ing changes in fats and lipoid content include Terroine ('20) and Okuneff ('22). 



During hibernation, Aeby ('75) studied the chemical changes in the spleen 

 of the marnot. Mann ('16) noted marked congestion of the spleen in the 

 hibernating gopher, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus. According to Mann and 

 Drips ('17), this congestion reaches a maximum in a few days, persists about 40 

 days, then gradually subsides. 



(B) Effects of Partial Inanition 



The effects of partial inanition upon the spleen will be considered under defi- 

 ciencies of protein (including pellagra and famine edema), of salts (including 

 rickets), of vitamins (including beriberi and scurvy), and of water (thirst). 



