THE SPLEEN has been a source for conjecture and confusion from both physiologic and pathologic standpoints. The participation of the spleen in various symptom complexes is still being debated and elucidated. About 20 years ago, Wise1 and Keil2 showed interest in the association of splenic malfunction, splenectomy, and lupus erythematosus. Within the last five years, isolated reports have appeared regarding the role of the spleen in the mysterious and often fatal syndrome, lupus erythematosus.
Several theories have been proposed regarding the relation of the spleen and bone marrow hemopoiesis. Dameshek and Estren3 postulated that the spleen normally exerts on the bone marrow an inhibitory effect which may become increased in splenomegaly. Increase of this normal function is called hypersplenism. Dameshek and Estren3 cited Morawitz and Eppinger, who suggested the word "hypersplenism" for the activity of the spleen associated with cytopenias. This activity inhibits