The Splenic Hemogram of the Unanesthetized Dog. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Splenic and venous blood samples were obtained in unanesthetized dogs whose spleens had previously been placed subcutaneously with their vascular supply essentially intact. Erythrocyte and reticulocyte levels are elevated in the spleen. Under pentobarbital, the relocated spleen has less of those cells than does the normal organ. Evidence was presented that diverse splenic functions such as sequestration of formed elements and distensibility are interfered with by placing the spleen between the relatively rigid skin and abdominal musculature of the dog.