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 (G) 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 (G) 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 (G) 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 (G) 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 . <EOS>