Transplantation of the Spleen

Excerpt

On February 24, 1908, Alexis Carrel removed the spleen from a large yellow dog, "in poor health." The spleen was washed in and perfused with Locke's solution. After forty-four minutes, the spleen had been replaced [orthotopically] and circulation re-established. In June at re-exploration, the organ appeared normal. In November, following accidental death at the animal farm, "the histology of the [autotransplanted] spleen appeared normal." A companion experiment failed because of technical problems. Carrel stated that "from a surgical standpoint, the problem of the graft of organs (spleen and kidney) can be considered as having been solved. But, from a biological