Abstract
Since Barcroft's 1 work, a great number of authors have emphasized the importance of the spleen as a reservoir for red blood cells. Numerous experiments have been performed to visualize the dilatation and contraction of the spleen. Barcroft tried to observe the movements of this organ in the dog through a celluloid window which had been implanted in the upper left abdominal quadrant. Others outlined the spleen with small metal clamps and observed the changes in position of the clamps caused by the dilatation and contraction of the organ, by means of the fluoroscopic screen and roentgenograms. Benhamou, Viallet and Marehioni, 2 using special soft tissue technique, tried to visualize the spleen by taking radiograms with the subject in numerous and varied positions. We have not been able to use this method to our satisfaction.
The spleens of dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and rats were roentgenographically visualized by means of intravenous administration of colloidal solutions of thorium dioxide (Thorotrast), and the contraction of the spleens studied under the fluoroscope and on radiographs after the injection of adrenalin, after bleeding and after shock. Hematocrit determinations of the peripheral blood were taken while the spleen was dilated, following intravenous administration of chloralose solution and at intervals of one minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, and 30 minutes following intravenous injection of adrenalin. Simultaneously with the hematocrit, radiographs were made.
Fig. 1 shows the dilated spleen of a dog and Fig. 2 shows the contraction of the same dog's spleen 3 minutes after the intravenous injection of adrenalin. Hematocrit values of the peripheral blood cells showed an increase of 23% three minutes after the contraction of the spleen. Repeated experiments on the same dogs and on other dogs showed a correlation between the contraction of the spleen and the increase in the peripheral hematocrit reading.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.