Splenic Apoplexy. 
231 
Lad been led to this conclusion hy two or three different reasons. 
In the first place, it is fonnd that the total quantity of solid matter 
in the blood of the splenic vein is often less by upwards of one-half 
than in the other vessels belonging to the so-called chj'lopoietic 
viscera. This anatomical fact, also, that the splenic vein unites 
with those of the chylopoietic viscera to form the vena portaj, is of 
value in rightly determining the question, it being thus made 
apparent that the liver exerts its special function of removing 
deleterious materials from the blood of the spleen equally with 
its so doing from that of the other viscera. If the splenic vein were 
carrying blood which was newly manufactured and fitted for general 
circulation, the vessel would not join the vena portse, but proceed ia 
a more direct course to the heart. 
It is easy to understand that the spleen, if it became suddenlj^ 
engorged, would have its office as a disintegrator of the blood-cells 
'suspended, just as the function of any other organ is arrested when 
the blood within it is brought to a standstill. As is well known, 
all the functions of life are suddenly cut short by a large quantity 
of blood being determined to the brain, constituting what is ordi- 
narily known as apoplexy. So likewise if the spleen receives an 
undue quantity of blood, and this is suddenly brought to a stand- 
still, its function will be an-ested. Although engorgement of the 
spleen may therefore be only an effect of a changed condition of 
the blood originally, yet when that engorgement takes place, and 
the functions of the spleen are interrupted, the blood will be 
further deteriorated, and the death of the animal facilitated. 
A natural provision has, however, been made to enable the 
spleen to receive a large amount of blood withoiit injury. Hence 
one other use of the organ is that of acting as a dilatable diverti- 
culum for the blood, especially when obstructions exist in the vena, 
portae. If, therefore, the vena portse be congested, the spleen 
will be suddenly increased in size ; but when the congestion is 
removed, the blood will again flow from the spleen, and go rapidly 
through the vessels of the liver. 
It is, therefore, no absolute proof of disease that the spleen is ; 
larger than commonly observed. If in this affection the spleen - 
were simply enlarged, and no change were wrought in the blood, 
we might infer that the organ was chiefly at fault ; but when on 
post-mortem examination being made, other parts distinct from the 
.spleen are found to be affected, it is fair to conclude that the term 
" splenic apoplexy " is a misnomer, and that the enlargement of 
the organ is only a symptom of some other affection. In a post- 
mortem examination it would be observed that the small intestines, 
apart from the spleen altogether, are filled almost to repletion with 
blood, which has no power of coagulation, thus showing that it is 
changed in its vital properties. The intestines also have a 
blackened appearance, owing to an effusion of spoilt blood which 
has taken place within them. 
On looking to the flesh of animals dying with the malady, extra- 
vasations of blood will likewise be frequentlj' met with. Here, 
