DUCTLESS GLANDS. 345 



ance of the functions of digestion and absorption. Experi- 

 ments have shown that animals may live, digest, and absorb 

 alimentary principles perfectly well after the spleen has been 

 removed, and this has even been observed in the human sub- 

 ject ; and in view of these facts, it is impossible to assume 

 that the presence of the spleen, as a diverticulum for the 

 blood, is essential to the proper action of the other abdom- 

 inal organs. 



Extirpation of the Spleen. There is one experimental 

 fact that has presented itself in opposition . to nearly every 

 theory advanced with regard to the function of the spleen ; 

 which is, that the organ may be removed from a living ani- 

 mal, and yet all the functions of life go on apparently as 

 before. The spleen is certainly not essential to life, nor, as 

 far as we know, to any of the important general functions. 

 It has been removed over and over again from dogs, cats, 

 and even from the human subject, and its absence is attended 

 with no constant and definite changes in the phenomena of 

 life. If it act as a diverticulum, this function is not essen- 

 tial to the proper operation of the organs of digestion and ab- 

 sorption ; and if its office be the destruction or the formation 

 of the blood-corpuscles, the formation of leucocytes, fibrin, 

 uric acid, cholesterine, or any excrementitious matter, there 

 are other organs which may accomplish these functions. 

 What renders this question even more obscure is the fact 

 that we Ijave no knowledge of any constant modifications in 

 the size or the functions of other organs as a consequence of 

 removal of the spleen. 1 This is not surprising, however, when 

 we reflect that one kidney can accomplish the function of uri- 



1 Beclard mentions several authorities who have noted enlargement of the 

 lymphatic glands throughout the system, consequent upon removal of the 

 spleen, and one of these instances occurred in the human subject (Traite elemen- 

 taire de physiologic humaine, Paris, 1859, p. 443); but these observations have 

 not been confirmed sufficiently to warrant the supposition that the spleen 

 belongs to the lymphatic system, particularly as its connections with the blood- 

 vessels are very extensive, and its lymphatics are rather scanty. 



