l30 THE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY. 



\ic Transitional forms. 

 2i Eosinophils. 



In childhood the proportion is somewhat different. Until about the 

 tenth year we find from 28 to 40 per cent, polymorphonuclear, and from 50 

 to 60 per cent, mononuclear, which must be kept in mind when examin- 

 ing the blood of children. We. have leucocytoses which are normal, or 

 rather physiological, occuring in the newborn, during digestion, preg- 

 nancy 2 lactation and in the moribund state. These factors influencing the 

 leucocyte should always be kept in mind when examining a patient's blood. 



A proportionate increase of all the leucocytes is called an absolute 

 leucocytosis, a condition very rarely met with. An increase of all the 

 leucocytes, with an unproportionate increase of one variety, is an absolute 

 relative leucocytosis; an example being an absolute relative polymorphonu- 

 clear leucocytosis, which, in other words, means an increase in the num- 

 ber of leucocytes with a prevalence of the polymorphonuclear cells. An 

 increase of only one variety of leucocytes is a relative leucocytosis; an e: - 

 ample being a relative mononuclear leucocytosis, which means a leucocy- 

 tosis in which only the mononuclears are increased. Absolute relative poly- 

 morphonuclear leucocytosis is most frequently met with in acute infectious 

 diseases and in malignant neoplasms. Relative small mononuclear leu- 

 cocytosis (lymphocytosis) is caused by rickets and hereditary syphilis in 

 children, secondary syphilis, Basedow's disease, hemophiliae, goitre, ne- 

 phritis, etc., in adults. Relative eosinophile leucocytosis, or eosinophilia, 

 is met with after the crisis in pneximonia, and is a good prognostic sign 

 in scarlet fewer and in chlorosis. We also find it in uric acid diathesis, 

 skin diseases, trichinosis and many others. Leueopenia, or absence of leu- 

 cocytosis, is met with in typhoid fever, pernicious anemia and carcinoma 

 of esophagus. 



I have simply touched upon these various forms of leucocytosis in orcl r 

 to point out their importance, and with no intention of discussing their 

 significance, which would require a paper by itself. 



The various methods of examining the blood which I have presented 

 this evening are those now in vogue, and with which much can be learned 

 regarding a patient's blood. It is true that we are able to make a positive 

 diagnosis in only four or five diseases, yet we can supply the links to the 

 chain of evidence which goes to make up a diagnosis in a large number of 

 diseases. Evidence of pus formation in the body, as revealed by the blood, 

 has in my limited experience here induced two surgeons to operate with 

 success. Even the fact that the blood is normal is sometimes of great value 

 in eliminating certain diseases. The blood is also of some prognostic value, 

 and further study may not only help us in diagnosis, but to a better knowl- 

 edge of certain diseases. — Physician and Surgeon, May, 1898. 



