The present case is reported as a corollary to the other studies of metabolism before and after splenectomy reported from this laboratory.1
In one of these2 the literature concerning metabolism in anemia, before and after splenectomy, is thoroughly reviewed. Few references to the literature therefore will be given here. In brief the results of studies of metabolism before and after splenectomy for various types of anemia and in normal animals may be summarized as follows: (1) There is little or no change in the total nitrogen metabolism or in its partition, with the exception of a decrease in the uric acid excretion after splenectomy in certain cases. (2) A decrease in the elimination of iron occurs in certain cases after splenectomy. (3) A decrease in the output of urobilin and urobilinogen is noted in certain cases after splenectomy.
This decrease in the daily elimination of uric acid,