xiv THE LYMPH 551 



The haemolytic function of the spleen may be argued from 

 the numerous phagocytes in various stages of development, the 

 erythrocytes in process of destruction, and the pigment granules 

 contained in the plasma of the splenic pulp. Analysis of the 

 chemical constituents of the spleen, moreover, make it probable 

 that this organ is the seat of highly complex metabolic processes 

 involving the destruction of many corpuscles. 



According, however, to the latest work on dogs, cats, and 

 rabbits by Paton and Goodall (1903), it appears that the spleen has 

 no genuine and proper haemolytic function ; but that its work is 

 confined to the taking up of erythrocytes that are already dead, 

 and the chemical transformation of their pigment, by storing up 

 the iron, which can then be utilised for the formation of other 

 erythrocytes. 



On the other hand, W. Bain (1903), by artificially circulating 

 the isolated spleen and liver of dog, with the object 'of determining 

 the importance of these two organs in haemolytic processes, came 

 to the conclusion that both spleen and liver, under these con- 

 ditions of survival, exhibit the property of destroying erythrocytes 

 as well as leucocytes. The spleen acts principally upon the 

 leucocytes, among which it more particularly attacks those with 

 polymorphous nuclei, although a certain quantity of erythrocytes 

 (2'4 per cent) are also destroyed. 



Besides the chemical compounds present in these highly 

 vascular organs, there are other special products in the splenic 

 pulp. One of the most important is a ferric albuminate which 

 certainly depends on the chemical changes of the haemoglobin in 

 the erythrocytes broken up by the spleen. The large amount of 

 iron that can be recovered from the spleen has led some observers 

 to consider that it is a storehouse of iron destined to the formation 

 of new haemoglobin. 



A series of recent researches by Tedeschi (1899) confirms the 

 fact already admitted by Kriiger and Lapicque to the effect that 

 the spleen is an organ rich in iron ; that on an average there is 

 less in young than in adult rabbits ; and that it seems to 

 diminish again in old age. This excess of iron in the spleen is 

 probably derived from decomposition of the haemoglobin of the 

 erythrocytes broken up in the spleen. This does not, however, 

 forbid the assumption that part at least of these organic iron 

 compounds may serve the erythrocytes that pass through the 

 spleen as materials for the construction of new haemoglobin. 

 Arguments, in fact, are not wanting to show that the haemoglobin 

 contained in the erythrocytes of the venous blood that leaves the 

 spleen is in excess of that contained in the erythrocytes of the 

 arterial blood that enters it ; consequently the spleen must 

 take an active part in the formation of haemoglobin and the 

 maturation of the red corpuscles of the blood. This is indicated 



