a-pigs the number of red blood corpuscles rose 377,000 in the cubic
millimetre, and the amount of haemoglobin 8.2%. After splenectomy in
rabbits the increase in these values is absent.

Shortly summarising our analysis of the facts before us, we must say
that =the importance of the spleen for the production of the white blood
corpuscles can in no respect be considerable=, and that if these cells
really are produced by it, they must be free from granulations. The
spleen therefore stands functionally in closer connection with the
lymphatic gland system than with the bone-marrow. =The spleen has not the
least connection with ordinary leucocytosis[14].=

([beta]) The Lymphatic Glands.

As it is impossible experimentally to prevent the lymphatic glands as a
whole from contributing to the formation of the blood, we are dependent
almost entirely on clinical and anatomical researches for an elucidation
of their function.

Since Virchow's definition of the lymphocyte it has been admitted that
the lymphocytes of the blood, both the small and larger kinds, are
identical with those of the lymphatic glands and the rest of the
lymphatic system. This is proved by the complete agreement in general
morphological character, in staining properties of the protoplasm and
nucleus, and from the absence of granulation.

Abundant clinical experience testifies that the lymphocytes of the blood
really do arise from the lymphatic system. Ehrlich had previously
observed that when extensive portions of the lymphatic glandular system
are put out of action by new growths and similar causes, the number of
the lymphocytes may be considerably diminished. These observations have
since that time been confirmed by various authors. For example, Reinbach
describes several cases of malignant tumour, particularly sarcoma, in
which the percentage of lymphocytes, which normally amounts to about
25%, was very considerably lowered; in one case of lymphosarcoma of the
neck they only made up 0.6% of the total number. These conditions are
quite easily and naturally explained by the exclusion of the lymphatic
glands. It is difficult for the advocates of the view that the
lymphocytes are the early stages of all white blood corpuscles to
reconcile it with these facts. According to their scheme the low number
of lymphocytes is to be explained in such cases by their unusually rapid
transformation to the polynuclear elements--the old forms; or to
appropriate the expr