150 FUNCTIONS OF THE SPLEEN. 



Elements of the Pulp (fig. 123). The morphological elements are very various (1) 

 Lymph -corpuscles of various sizes, sometimes partly swollen, and at other times with granular 

 contents. (2) Red blood-corpuscles. (3) Transition forms between 1 and 2 [although this is 

 denied by some observers ( 7, C)]. (4) Cells containing red blood- 

 corpuscles and pigment granules. [These cells exhibit amoeboid 

 . movements.] (Compare 8. ) 



6 [Lymphatics undoubtedly arise within the spleen, but they are 

 not numerous. There are two systems a superficial or capsular, 

 and trabecular system ; and a peri- vascular set. The superficial 

 /"& lymphatics in the capsule are rather more numerous. Some of them 

 seem to communicate with the lymphatics within the organ (Tomsa, 

 Kblliker). In the horse's spleen they communicate with the lym- 

 phatics in the trabecular, and with the peri-vascular lymphatics. 

 The exact mode of origin of the peri-vascular system is unknown, 

 but in part at least it begins in the spaces of the adenoid tissue of 

 the Malpighian corpuscles and peri-vascular adenoid tissue, and 

 runs along the arteries towards the hilum. There seem to be no 

 afferent lymphatics in the spleen such as exist in a lymphatic 



Elements of human splenic &P, J c ., , , - , c 



pulp 1 colourless cells- The nerves of the 8 P leen ave composed for the most part of non- 

 2 endothelium 3 col- me( lullated nerve-fibres, and run along with the artery. Their exact 

 oured blood-corpuscles mode of termination is unknown, but they probably go to the 

 4 cells containing gran- kl 0( l-vessels and to the muscular tissue in the capsule and trabecular 

 ules the upper one with [ TIlev are wel1 seen m tne s P leen of the ox, and in their course very 

 a colourless blood-cor- 8ma11 & an g lia ' P lacetl wide a P art > have been found by Remak and 

 puscle b enclosed W ' Stirling.] 



v Chemical Composition. Several of the more highly oxidised stages 



of albuminous bodies exist in the spleen. Besides the ordinary constituents of the blood, 

 there exist : leucin, tyrosin, xanthin, hypoxanthin ; lactic, butyric, acetic, formic, succinic, 

 and uric acids, and perhaps glycero-phosphoric acid (Salkowski) ; cholesterin, aglutin-like body, 

 inosit, a pigment containing iron, and even free iron oxide (Nassc). The ash is rich in phos- 

 phoric acid and iron (p. 151) poor in chlorine compounds. The splenic juice is alkaline in 

 reaction ; the specific gravity of the spleen = 1059-1066. 



The functions of the spleen are obscure, but we know some facts on which to 

 form a theory. [The spleen differs from other organs in that no very apparent 

 effect is produced by it, so that we must determine its uses in the economy from a 

 consideration of such facts as the following : (1) The effects of its removal or 

 extirpation. (2) The changes which the blood undergoes as it passes through it. 

 (3) Its chemical composition. (4) The results of experiments upon it, (5) The 

 effects of diseases.] 



(1) Extirpation. The spleen may be removed from an animal old or young 

 without the organism suffering any very obvious change (Galen). The human 

 spleen has been successfully removed by Koberle, Pean, and others. As a result 

 (compensatory ?) the lymphatic glands enlarge, but not constantly, while the blood- 

 forming activity of the red marrow of bone is increased. Small brownish-red 

 patches were observed in the intestines of frogs after extirpation of the spleen. 

 These new formations are regarded by some observers as compensatory organs. 

 Tizzoni asserts that new splenic structures are formed in the omentum (horse, dog) 

 after the destruction of the parenchyma and blood-vessels of the spleen. The spleen 

 is absent extremely seldom. 



[The weight of the animal (dog) diminishes after the operation, but afterwards increases. 

 The number of red blood-corpuscles is lessened, reaching its minimum about the 150th to the 

 200th day, while the colourless corpuscles are increased in number. The lymphatic glands 

 (especially the internal, and those in the neck, mesentery, and groin) enlarge, while on section 

 the cortical substance of these structures is redder, owing to the great number of red corpuscles, 

 many of them are nucleated in the lymph spaces (Gibson). The marrow of all the long bones 

 (those of the foot excepted), becomes very red and soft, with the characters of embryonic bone- 

 marrow. Such animals withstand haemorrhage (to $ of the total amount of blood) without any 

 specially bad results (Tizzoni, Winogradow). Schindeler observed that animals after extirpa- 

 tion of the spleen became very ravenous. ] 



[Regeneration. After entire removal of the spleen, nodules of splenic tissue are reproduced 



