TRANSUDATICJNS RELATED TO BLOOD. 285 



disintegrating agents concerned in the breaking down of other 

 bodies. Uric acid, as derived from the xanthine bases, is 

 known to result when blood is rubbed up with the spleen sub- 

 stance. The spleen is enlarged in many cases of infectious 

 diseases. This is possibly from the abnormally great produc- 

 tion of leucocytes needed in the blood in overcoming the effects 

 of the toxic agents or invading bacteria. 



Of the chemical nature of the spleen substance little is 

 known, as it is practically impossible to free it from blood for 

 analysis. In addition to the xanthine bodies and other decom- 

 position products there seems to be present an albuminous 

 substance containing iron, which is considered as an albu- 

 minate; but of its uses nothing definite is known. 



