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PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPLEEN.
823
j)6veral replied and rejoinders in pages 634, the hope that some gentleman who has prac-
in this volume. tically studied the subject would have anA correspondent who chooses to shelter swered his erroneous statements. No one himself under the cognomen of " Amicus having done so to my satisfaction, may I eritatis," after starting some objections to beg the insertion of the following observathe theories of both Mr. Eagle and Mr. tions. Without entering into the details of his Jackson in THE LANCET, vol. ii., for 1841-2, that his theory is wholly p. 878, considers the oflice of the spleen to view, I mustonobject the following unfounded asbe that of fitting the portal fluid for circula- dependent tion in the liver by abstracting from the sumption :—" That the interposition of cablood supplied to it (the spleen) a great, if pillaries is the necessary course which not the greater, portion of its serous particles, nature universally adopts when a communiwhich are taken away by the lymphatics of cation is required between the arterial and the organ, so that there may be presented to venous systems." the liver" a more highly-carbonised pabuNow, first, as regards the universality of lum, and one accordingly better adapted to this capillary communication. In the excite the liver’s action, as well as more saurian and chelonian reptiles we find two fitted for the elaboration of the bile. The great vessels arising from the ventricle, confunction of the spleen is then of a double veying severally arterial and venous blood, nature ; its products are of two kinds, and which unite posteriorly to form the descendcarried away by two sets of vessels ; one ing aorta. Again, in the human foetus, we kind, the highly carbonised product, con- have a similar mixture of arterial and veyed to the liver by the splenic vein and venous blood, so that this communication is porta; and the other product, the serous or not opposed to the "natural laws of physiowatery, taken up by the lymphatics to be logy." In cyanosis, an abnormal condition, poured by the thoracic duct into the subcla. the same arrangement obtains. vian vein." Conformably with this hypoSecondly. As to the necessity of this cacommunication. Mr. Stevens adour pillary we to thesis, correspondent says ought find that the blood coming to the liver from duces no argument in proof of this position. the spleen has in it a greater proportion of The use of a capillary circulation is to bring carbon than other venous blood ; and he re- the blood into close approximation with the fers to the researches of Schultz, as quoted in minute parts of the tissues, for the purpose THE LANCET of March 12, 1836, p. 935, to of nutrition, secretion, or changes in the blood itself. Now, according to Mr. Stevens’ prove that such actually appears to be the He also quotes Meckel, who hears assertion that the blood undergoes no change case. him out in considering "that the blood is in the spleen, what end can possibly be of the subjected in the spleen to a change which fits achieved by the capillary subdivision can be obtained artery,-what advantage for the formation of the bile."more it fully P. 881. I cannot stop to consider the details of his Mr. Jackson in the present volume, to ask why the spleen posp. 88, raises various objections to the views theory, except of 11 Amicus Veritatis," but as our space sesses lymphatic vessels so exceedingly out of proportion to an contracts, we must refer readers who wish numerous, so utterly little or no intervening to examine the points in dispute between organ " containing these two writers, to their somewhat lengthy, nervous parenchyma or extravascular tissue." What use do they serve ? though copious, papers. I have a few words to say on the subject We have now given as hasty a coup d’ aeil of the placenta ; Mr. Stevens’s statements on of of the views of most as possible published He our correspondents on this subject, at least this organ are quite extraordinary. down to a recent period. We have now to states that he can prove a direct communitake up several papers which have unavoid- cation between the maternal and foetal cir11 ably remained unpublished in our hands for culations, and that the placenta is merely some time, and which would, especially the necessary capillary communication be. since the lapse of that time, have been found tween the uterine arteries and the umbilical obscure in certain of their parts, but for an vein, and between the umbilical arteries abstract, such as the above, of the previous and uterine veins." I cannot suppose Mr. controversy. As we stated at the outset, the Stevens to be ignorant of the experiments and conclusions of Hervey, Wm. Hunter, papers in question are too long for entire inDavis, Rigby, and others, on this sertion ; but in the next number of THE Denman, LANCET their leading passages will be pub- point; but he may not be aware of some exto my lished, together with an abridgment or sum- periments made by Wrisberg, which, mind, are conclusive, and prove to demonstramary of what else they contain. tion that no communication whatever exists between the maternal or foetal circulations, PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPLEEN. except through the parietes of the vessels. StR,—Ihave hitherto delayed addressing Having observed that the foetus appeared to you on the subject of Mr. Stevens’s paper in contain the usual quantity of blood in a case
655, 681, and 754,
thereby ?
824
where the mother had died of haemorrhage, he killed some cows big with calf by bleeding, and invariably found the vessels of the calf as full as under other circumstances. In the face of such facts I must confess to having some doubt of the correctness of Mr. Stevens’s observations. With many apologies for having trespassed so much upon your columns and the time of your readers in an unprofitable discussion, I am, Sir, your obedient servant, WM. WAY, M.B., Lond.
pillaries. The larger branches (arterial and venous) being very short, may be taken for cells. But this arrangement is only an eco. nomy of room, accounted for by the absence
of extra-vascnlar tissue in the spleen and placenta; for the vessels commence breaking up into branches even before entering these organs, in order the sooner to reach the ca. pillary form. Mr. Jackson implies an active contractility in the fibrous tunic of the spleen;i I can admit a passive elasticity only, such as exists in certain other fibrous tissues, as the ligamentum nucbae of grazing animals. Russell-place, Fitzroy-square, The reason why it is difficult to inject the Feb.2t, 1843. placenta so as to show connection of its capillaries, appears to be because the blood. THE SPLEEN. globules have become packed in these vessels, and because the injections commonly REMARKS ON THE used are coloured not by colouring matter in solution, but by levigated powders, the parTHEORIES OF MR. ROSS AND ticles of which are as large as the blood. MR. JACKSON. globules themselves. But if a stain-tinted SIR,-As I observe you are preparing a size-injection be used very gently, while the general Tesumé on the subject of the spleen, placenta is just fresh, the proper course of I should like to address to you a word or the vessels will easily be detected. The two on several of the questions which have only objection to this preparation is that it been started; for it is remarkable how many will not keep. I remain, Sir, your obedient different views may be taken in accounting servant, for any functional process. I will allude for CAPILLARIUS, instance to Mr. Ross’s theory (which he has February 18, 1843. founded on the experiment of some German chemist), concerning the affinity between fat I and fibrine, namely, that the fibrine of the RENAL DISEASE SIMULATING CALCULUS IN THE£ BLADDER. splenic lymphatics renders soluble the fat brought by the lacteals into the lymphatic SEGALAs M. reports that he was called to duct ; and that a large and active spleen, on a attend child, from four to tive years of by furnishing that fibrine, thus prevents the of this fat in the tissues. which often placed its hands on the deposit corporeal age, This is probably better explained by Mr. and experienced frequent desire to genitals, Stevens’s original position that a large which action, however, was urine, pass spleen produces an active secretion of bile, and that the soda of the bile (instead of the always performed with pain. The uriue was fibrine of the splenic lymphatics) renders the tolerably abundant, and yielded a mucofat soluble ; and that, accordingly, with a purulent deposit. The acuteness of the small spleen there is a less active secretion various symptoms had been considerably inof bile, and a greater retention of hydro- creased during some recent attacks of roseola carbon in the blood than can be consumed and bronchitis. These symptoms apparently in the tissues, and expired as carbonic acid and water, the hydro-carbon being therefore indicated the presence of a calculus in the retained in the form of fat. Mr. Ross says that bladder; M. Segalas, however, doubted that branches from the hepatic artery pass directly one really existed, having never met with to branches of the vena porta. Mr. Stevens this disease in any children but those of has not denied their union in the capillary parents in a much lower sphere of life than form ; but one may explore in vain to find those of this patient; and a careful examinaany direct union of their larger branches. tion proved that no urinary calculus in That the hepatic artery is solely for the pur- reality existed. Some time afterwards the pose of nourishing the tissue of the liver, is child died of a cerebral affection, and the pretty well borne out by the ramusculus body was opened. The bladder, as well as the urethra was found perfectly healthy and cysticus alone. The terms of cellular and cavernous, as free from urinary deposit; but the left applied by Mr. Jackson and others to the ureter was much dilated, and the pelvis of spleen, are not warranted by dissection, un- the corresponding kidney three or four times less the following arrangement be thus mis- larger than that of the opposite side. The taken. The splenic artery before enteriug calices also were enlarged, and the cortical the organ suddenly breaks up into several substance of the kidney was inflamed at short branches, which, in the short capacity several points. The right kidney was of the organ, are again broken up into ca.. healthy.-Gaz. des Hop" Jan. 7.
j)6veral replied and rejoinders in pages 634, the hope that some gentleman who has prac-
in this volume. tically studied the subject would have anA correspondent who chooses to shelter swered his erroneous statements. No one himself under the cognomen of " Amicus having done so to my satisfaction, may I eritatis," after starting some objections to beg the insertion of the following observathe theories of both Mr. Eagle and Mr. tions. Without entering into the details of his Jackson in THE LANCET, vol. ii., for 1841-2, that his theory is wholly p. 878, considers the oflice of the spleen to view, I mustonobject the following unfounded asbe that of fitting the portal fluid for circula- dependent tion in the liver by abstracting from the sumption :—" That the interposition of cablood supplied to it (the spleen) a great, if pillaries is the necessary course which not the greater, portion of its serous particles, nature universally adopts when a communiwhich are taken away by the lymphatics of cation is required between the arterial and the organ, so that there may be presented to venous systems." the liver" a more highly-carbonised pabuNow, first, as regards the universality of lum, and one accordingly better adapted to this capillary communication. In the excite the liver’s action, as well as more saurian and chelonian reptiles we find two fitted for the elaboration of the bile. The great vessels arising from the ventricle, confunction of the spleen is then of a double veying severally arterial and venous blood, nature ; its products are of two kinds, and which unite posteriorly to form the descendcarried away by two sets of vessels ; one ing aorta. Again, in the human foetus, we kind, the highly carbonised product, con- have a similar mixture of arterial and veyed to the liver by the splenic vein and venous blood, so that this communication is porta; and the other product, the serous or not opposed to the "natural laws of physiowatery, taken up by the lymphatics to be logy." In cyanosis, an abnormal condition, poured by the thoracic duct into the subcla. the same arrangement obtains. vian vein." Conformably with this hypoSecondly. As to the necessity of this cacommunication. Mr. Stevens adour pillary we to thesis, correspondent says ought find that the blood coming to the liver from duces no argument in proof of this position. the spleen has in it a greater proportion of The use of a capillary circulation is to bring carbon than other venous blood ; and he re- the blood into close approximation with the fers to the researches of Schultz, as quoted in minute parts of the tissues, for the purpose THE LANCET of March 12, 1836, p. 935, to of nutrition, secretion, or changes in the blood itself. Now, according to Mr. Stevens’ prove that such actually appears to be the He also quotes Meckel, who hears assertion that the blood undergoes no change case. him out in considering "that the blood is in the spleen, what end can possibly be of the subjected in the spleen to a change which fits achieved by the capillary subdivision can be obtained artery,-what advantage for the formation of the bile."more it fully P. 881. I cannot stop to consider the details of his Mr. Jackson in the present volume, to ask why the spleen posp. 88, raises various objections to the views theory, except of 11 Amicus Veritatis," but as our space sesses lymphatic vessels so exceedingly out of proportion to an contracts, we must refer readers who wish numerous, so utterly little or no intervening to examine the points in dispute between organ " containing these two writers, to their somewhat lengthy, nervous parenchyma or extravascular tissue." What use do they serve ? though copious, papers. I have a few words to say on the subject We have now given as hasty a coup d’ aeil of the placenta ; Mr. Stevens’s statements on of of the views of most as possible published He our correspondents on this subject, at least this organ are quite extraordinary. down to a recent period. We have now to states that he can prove a direct communitake up several papers which have unavoid- cation between the maternal and foetal cir11 ably remained unpublished in our hands for culations, and that the placenta is merely some time, and which would, especially the necessary capillary communication be. since the lapse of that time, have been found tween the uterine arteries and the umbilical obscure in certain of their parts, but for an vein, and between the umbilical arteries abstract, such as the above, of the previous and uterine veins." I cannot suppose Mr. controversy. As we stated at the outset, the Stevens to be ignorant of the experiments and conclusions of Hervey, Wm. Hunter, papers in question are too long for entire inDavis, Rigby, and others, on this sertion ; but in the next number of THE Denman, LANCET their leading passages will be pub- point; but he may not be aware of some exto my lished, together with an abridgment or sum- periments made by Wrisberg, which, mind, are conclusive, and prove to demonstramary of what else they contain. tion that no communication whatever exists between the maternal or foetal circulations, PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPLEEN. except through the parietes of the vessels. StR,—Ihave hitherto delayed addressing Having observed that the foetus appeared to you on the subject of Mr. Stevens’s paper in contain the usual quantity of blood in a case
655, 681, and 754,
thereby ?
824
where the mother had died of haemorrhage, he killed some cows big with calf by bleeding, and invariably found the vessels of the calf as full as under other circumstances. In the face of such facts I must confess to having some doubt of the correctness of Mr. Stevens’s observations. With many apologies for having trespassed so much upon your columns and the time of your readers in an unprofitable discussion, I am, Sir, your obedient servant, WM. WAY, M.B., Lond.
pillaries. The larger branches (arterial and venous) being very short, may be taken for cells. But this arrangement is only an eco. nomy of room, accounted for by the absence
of extra-vascnlar tissue in the spleen and placenta; for the vessels commence breaking up into branches even before entering these organs, in order the sooner to reach the ca. pillary form. Mr. Jackson implies an active contractility in the fibrous tunic of the spleen;i I can admit a passive elasticity only, such as exists in certain other fibrous tissues, as the ligamentum nucbae of grazing animals. Russell-place, Fitzroy-square, The reason why it is difficult to inject the Feb.2t, 1843. placenta so as to show connection of its capillaries, appears to be because the blood. THE SPLEEN. globules have become packed in these vessels, and because the injections commonly REMARKS ON THE used are coloured not by colouring matter in solution, but by levigated powders, the parTHEORIES OF MR. ROSS AND ticles of which are as large as the blood. MR. JACKSON. globules themselves. But if a stain-tinted SIR,-As I observe you are preparing a size-injection be used very gently, while the general Tesumé on the subject of the spleen, placenta is just fresh, the proper course of I should like to address to you a word or the vessels will easily be detected. The two on several of the questions which have only objection to this preparation is that it been started; for it is remarkable how many will not keep. I remain, Sir, your obedient different views may be taken in accounting servant, for any functional process. I will allude for CAPILLARIUS, instance to Mr. Ross’s theory (which he has February 18, 1843. founded on the experiment of some German chemist), concerning the affinity between fat I and fibrine, namely, that the fibrine of the RENAL DISEASE SIMULATING CALCULUS IN THE£ BLADDER. splenic lymphatics renders soluble the fat brought by the lacteals into the lymphatic SEGALAs M. reports that he was called to duct ; and that a large and active spleen, on a attend child, from four to tive years of by furnishing that fibrine, thus prevents the of this fat in the tissues. which often placed its hands on the deposit corporeal age, This is probably better explained by Mr. and experienced frequent desire to genitals, Stevens’s original position that a large which action, however, was urine, pass spleen produces an active secretion of bile, and that the soda of the bile (instead of the always performed with pain. The uriue was fibrine of the splenic lymphatics) renders the tolerably abundant, and yielded a mucofat soluble ; and that, accordingly, with a purulent deposit. The acuteness of the small spleen there is a less active secretion various symptoms had been considerably inof bile, and a greater retention of hydro- creased during some recent attacks of roseola carbon in the blood than can be consumed and bronchitis. These symptoms apparently in the tissues, and expired as carbonic acid and water, the hydro-carbon being therefore indicated the presence of a calculus in the retained in the form of fat. Mr. Ross says that bladder; M. Segalas, however, doubted that branches from the hepatic artery pass directly one really existed, having never met with to branches of the vena porta. Mr. Stevens this disease in any children but those of has not denied their union in the capillary parents in a much lower sphere of life than form ; but one may explore in vain to find those of this patient; and a careful examinaany direct union of their larger branches. tion proved that no urinary calculus in That the hepatic artery is solely for the pur- reality existed. Some time afterwards the pose of nourishing the tissue of the liver, is child died of a cerebral affection, and the pretty well borne out by the ramusculus body was opened. The bladder, as well as the urethra was found perfectly healthy and cysticus alone. The terms of cellular and cavernous, as free from urinary deposit; but the left applied by Mr. Jackson and others to the ureter was much dilated, and the pelvis of spleen, are not warranted by dissection, un- the corresponding kidney three or four times less the following arrangement be thus mis- larger than that of the opposite side. The taken. The splenic artery before enteriug calices also were enlarged, and the cortical the organ suddenly breaks up into several substance of the kidney was inflamed at short branches, which, in the short capacity several points. The right kidney was of the organ, are again broken up into ca.. healthy.-Gaz. des Hop" Jan. 7.