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SummaryMuch work has been done about the function of the spleen, and hitherto our really positive knowledge has remained still incomplete. The different functions so far known are discussed.Detailed study of the influence of regular bloodtapping and of continued haemolysis on the spleen. After a certain time of bloodtapping the spleen becomes smaller and becomes finally so small that the weight is reduced to less than 50 mgr. These spleens are so atrophic that it can scarcely be imagined that the normal haemolysis of blood can be located in this atrophic organ. The various depotfunctions of the spleen have become superfluous. Of the other functions described are two dealing with bloodformation. The first is that the spleen should exercise a stimulating influence on the bloodformation in the bone marrow. A second conception presumes that the spleen should exercise a checking influence on the outgoings of the erythrocytes from their places of formation in the restituting blood. The spleen would prevent the bo...