Aldred Scott Warthin 75 



born child, and have been found at an early period in the foetal calf. 

 They are without doubt individual organs whose early stages of devel- 

 opment are probably parallel with those of the lymph glands. Under 

 certain pathological conditions it is possible that they may be devel- 

 oped from ordinary lymphatic glands or even in adipose tissue in com- 

 pensation for the spleen or bone-marrow. 



Function. — A discussion of the probable functions of these glands 

 is beyond the limits of this paper. Briefly stated, it is probable that 

 their function is chiefly one of hematolysis. The great variation in 

 appearances in different glands suggests a cyclical function. They are 

 also leukocyte-forming organs. Under normal conditions no evidences 

 of red-blood cell formation have been discovered in them. It may 

 also be possible that in the glands containing both blood and lymph- 

 sinuses there is communication between the two systems and these 

 glands may serve as the means of the return of lymph into the blood- 

 stream. This supposition must, however, be regarded as purely 

 hypothetical. 



Differential Diagnosis. — To the inexperienced observer the hemo- 

 lymph glands may at first be taken for deeply-congested or hemorrhagic 

 lymph glands, even on microscopical examination. This mistake has 

 probably occurred many times. The essential features of these glands 

 as given above are, however, easily seen and, when once known, a glance 

 at a section is sufficient for their recognition. The differences in reti- 

 culum, lymphoid tissue, sinuses, etc., together present a picture entirely 

 distinct and characteristic from that of a congested or hemorrhagic 

 lymph gland. Care in the treatment of the autopsy material, perfect 

 fixation and good staining are points of technique which are of great 

 service in the recognition of these organs. 



MAEKOVVLYMPH GLANDS. 



The second form of hemolymph gland to which I have applied the 

 designation of marrowlymph gland is of very much less frequent occur- 

 rence. They are much more prominent in certain pathological condi- 

 tions than they are in the normal body, suggesting the possibility of 

 resting glands or of new formations. In many cadavers I have been 

 unable to find them, but this may have been due to a lack of time for a 

 thorough examination. They have been found only in the retroperi- 

 toneal region, along the spine and brim of pelvis, always in close prox- 

 imity to the large vessels, vena cava, abdominal aorta, adrenal and 

 renal vessels and common iliacs. They are present most frequently 



