THE VOLUME OF THE SPLEEN IN TRAUMATIC SHOCK

Abstract

The state of contraction of the spleen in cats in various stages of traumatic shock was studied in 10 experiments. In every instance the spleen was so extremely constricted that its cut surface did not bleed; its weight was 0.18-0.35% of the body weight, averaging 0.25%. These weights are similar to the lowest post mortem values obtained by Barcroft, Harris, Orahovats and Weiss in cats, and correspond to the minimum weight of the completely contracted spleen. Evidently, then, a dilated spleen is not a factor in the production of the decreased blood volume characteristic of traumatic shock. The close relationship between the contracted state of the spleen and of the splanchnic vascular bed is discussed. It is concluded that, as regards its smooth muscle, the spleen may be looked upon as a large and modified splanchnic blood vessel the volume of which serves as an index of the state of contraction of the splanchnic vascular bed as a whole. The occurrence of an extreme constriction of the spleen in traumatic shock is interpreted as supporting the observations of others to the effect that the splanchnic vasoconstrictor mechanism becomes highly active in shock in an attempt to maintain an effective blood pressure in the presence of a rapidly diminishing blood volume.