CHAPTER V. 



THE VASCULAR GLANDS. 



Under this heading are comprised certain so-called 

 ductless glands or blood glands, of which the spleen is the 

 representative. Their function is obscure : they secrete 

 nothing, but they exercise a certain control over the con- 

 stitution of the blood and other tissues, though in some 

 cases even this little is unknown respecting them. 



The Spleen does not appear absolutely essential to life : it 

 has constantly been removed without causing death. The 

 chief facts in connection with its function which have been 

 ascertained, are those relating to the formation and de- 

 struction of blood corpuscles. The blood of the splenic 

 vein contains more white cells than that of the splenic 

 artery, hence it has been inferred that they have been 

 formed in the spleen. The worn-out red cells of the blood 

 appear to undergo disintegration in the spleen ; more iron 

 is obtainable from the spleen than corresponds to the 

 amount of blood it contains, and this is supposed to result 

 from the disintegration of the red cells. 



From the intimate connection the spleen has with the 

 stomach, and the fact that it becomes larger after a meal, 

 it has been supposed by some to be concerned in elaboral ing 

 or storing up the proteid principles of the food. Clinical 

 experience, especially in the tropics, constantly forces on 

 one the value of the spleen as a reservoir in those cases 

 where the blood is driven from the surface of the skin 

 and thrown on the viscera. After an attack of continued 

 fever 1 have known the spleen contain the greater part of 



