Although we do not yet know everything the spleen does in the body, it is nevertheless referred to as the largest lymph gland. It is located to the left of the stomach just opposite the liver, but has nothing to do with the digestive system; nor is it allied in any way or related in function to any other organ. The spleen is connected directly to the bloodstream and not to the lymph. It could therefore be located anywhere else in the body, the only explanation for its actual location on the left side being that there seems to be room for it. To this day, the spleen continues to puzzle scientists. One could go on living after its removal but the production of antibodies without the spleen would be so small that one could not survive a massive attack of micro-organisms, as might occur in a case of malaria, for example.

Lymphocytes and leucocytes are wandering cells; they leave the lymphatics as well as the bloodstream and, being so minute in size, pass through the capillary walls. Their movement is similar to that of starfish circulating through a coral reef. Whenever and wherever they are needed they are ready to attack, just like a special branch of the police. It is truly astonishing to note that they number in the billions, so that there are more itinerant cells in our body than there are people on earth.

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