374 



DETAILED SYNTHESIS. 



FlG - 252 - phragm above and to the large 



extremity of the stomach. 



1170. Remark. Th ough THE 

 SPLEEN is located in the vicinity of the 

 cligestory organs, and usually de- 

 scribed under the same head, it does 

 not appear to HAVE ANY DIGESTORY 



OFFICE. 



1171. THE SPLEEN is CON- 

 STRUCTED of an external se- 

 rous coat, to prevent friction ; 

 the sinewy fibres of this inter- 

 sect the spleen in every direc- 

 tion, forming a sponge-like 

 structure, in the spaces of 

 which a pulp, looking like clot- 

 ted blood, is found. This 



pulp is composed chiefly of blood-cells, unchanged; 



others in various states ; a fine granular matter, etc. 



1172. THE DIVISIONS OF THE SPLENIC ABTEKY are 

 exceedingly numerous, and the capillaries and veins cor- 

 respond. Lymphatics exist in the spleen, and it is also 

 supplied with nerves. On the minute arteries small 

 bodies (splenic corpuscles) are found ; use unknown. 



1173. As the spleen has no inlet but an artery, and 

 no outlet but a vein, THE USE OF THE SPLEEN MUST BE to 

 modify the Blood in some manner ; and every indication 

 at present shows that its use has reference to the blood- 

 cells, and is probably adapted to the change of the nuclei 

 of the white into the red cells. 



1174. Remark. The spleen has been removed from animals by 

 experiment, and from man by accident, without affecting health ; it is 

 therefore evident that its office must be unimportant, or can be per- 

 formed by some other part. And since the spleen at times enlarges 

 enormously, as when the passage of the Blood through any part is ob- 

 structed for a time, it appears probable that the cells that cannot cir- 



1170. Does -? 1171. How is ? 1172. What said of-? 1173. What must-? 

 1174. Effect of removing spleen ? 



