7/ The Lymphocyte and Lymphocytic Tissue 



conditions; however, their limited phagocytic powers are almost universally 

 accepted. They are called microphages because they do not readly phago- 

 cytize large particulate matter. The lymphocytes, although they do not 

 possess the power of positive chemotaxis, would numerically appear the 

 next best possibility. This is indeed the case, and it has been proved many 

 times. Of particular importance is the demonstration of this phenomenon 

 in acute inflammation. 



METHODS OF STUDY 



The techniques used to study the changes within the first day of the 

 inflammatory response should allow samples (biopsies) to be taken at fre- 

 quent intervals during this phase of the reaction. Furthermore, such tech- 

 niques should permit accurate comparison of the exudate cells with the 

 leukocytes of the peripheral blood. Direct microscopic observations, using 

 transparent ear chamber technique, exteriorization of mesentery, etc., have 

 been used to study these changes and have confirmed the emigration and 

 motility of the lymphocytes. Such direct techniques are of less value in 

 later stages of the response when the number of exudate cells are markedly 

 increased. 



The skin window and skin blister techniques have been used for such 

 investigations. The sequential biopsies may be studied with the same 

 methods used for examining the leukocytes of the peripheral blood. The 

 techniques and results have been recorded in detail elsewhere 5 ' 6 and will 

 be summarized briefly in this report. 



HUMAN SKIN WINDOWS 



Control Series 



Technique 



The skin over the volar surface of the arm is shaved and cleansed with 

 alcohol. A 5 mm. area of epithelium is scraped away with a sterile scalpel 

 until the papillary layer of the corium is reached. After sterile application 

 of a drop of an inflammatory agent, the denuded corium is covered with 

 a clean, sterile cover slip. Then a strip of adhesive tape is applied to keep 

 the cover slip in place. At suitable time intervals the cover slip is replaced 

 with a new one. The removed cover slips are rapidly air-dried and treated 

 like a peripheral blood film. 



RESULTS 



The tissue cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages are the first to react in an 

 area of inflammation. The neutrophils are present at the site 30 minutes 

 after the inflammatory stimulus. 



