While the evidence for an endocrine function of the spleen is meagre and the exact nature of this action is not clear it does seem to be fairly well established that the spleen must be considered as an important part of the mechanism whereby a normal corpuscle, and possibly platelet, content of the circulating blood is maintained.

This regulation seems to be due to the production by the spleen of one or more hormones.

These hormones appear to affect the processes of the bone marrow and also may act upon the corpuscles in the circulating blood.

The conception of hyperactivity of the spleen in the human being seems to be firmly established but little is known of the clinical appearance of its hypoactivity.

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© 1948 by American Society of Hematology, Inc.
1948
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