A retraction device for a feeding mechanism of a rotary microtome, comprising: a spindle movable along an axis direction thereof and having a first end; and a support plate having a fixed position, the first end penetrating the support plate; wherein the spindle is configured to be switchable between a first position and a second position, and capable of moving a predetermined distance relative to the support plate in the axis direction of the spindle during switching, when in the first position, the spindle is farthest from the support plate, when in the second position, the spindle is closest to the support plate, wherein the first end is provided with a flange, wherein a gap is defined between an end face of the flange adjacent to the support plate and the support plate, and wherein the flange comprises a first flange and a second flange, characterized in that, the retraction device further comprises a plurality of spring washers fitted over the first end and being compressed between the spindle and the support plate with a predetermined pre-load, the spring washers are stacked together in an identical direction; the plurality of spring washers are compressed between the spindle and the support plate by the flange; the gap is greater than or equal to the predetermined distance that the spindle is capable of moving during switching between the first position and the second position; and the plurality of spring washers are fitted over the first flange and abut against the second flange; and the retraction device comprises a flat washer arranged between the plurality of spring washers and the support plate and fitted over the first flange, whereby a sum of a thickness of the plurality of spring washers in the first position and a thickness of the flat washer is greater than a thickness of the first flange. a spindle movable along an axis direction thereof and having a first end; and a support plate having a fixed position, the first end penetrating the support plate; wherein the spindle is configured to be switchable between a first position and a second position, and capable of moving a predetermined distance relative to the support plate in the axis direction of the spindle during switching, when in the first position, the spindle is farthest from the support plate, when in the second position, the spindle is closest to the support plate, wherein the first end is provided with a flange, wherein a gap is defined between an end face of the flange adjacent to the support plate and the support plate, and wherein the flange comprises a first flange and a second flange, characterized in that, the retraction device further comprises a plurality of spring washers fitted over the first end and being compressed between the spindle and the support plate with a predetermined pre-load, the spring washers are stacked together in an identical direction; the plurality of spring washers are compressed between the spindle and the support plate by the flange; the gap is greater than or equal to the predetermined distance that the spindle is capable of moving during switching between the first position and the second position; and the plurality of spring washers are fitted over the first flange and abut against the second flange; and the retraction device comprises a flat washer arranged between the plurality of spring washers and the support plate and fitted over the first flange, whereby a sum of a thickness of the plurality of spring washers in the first position and a thickness of the flat washer is greater than a thickness of the first flange.