EXAMINATION OF THE BLOOD 



Description of Technique 



Fig. l 



EQUIPMENT 



1. A sharp edged needle for 

 making the puncture. 



2. Slides, carefully cleaned 

 and put away in a mixture of 

 equal parts of ether and alcohol. 



3. A spreader, i.e. a slide 

 with bevelled edge and a small 

 corner cut off (see fig. 1). The 

 film made with this spreader 

 does not cover the whole width 

 of the slide, but leaves the film 

 edges free for investigation (see 

 fig. 2). 



4. Cotton-wool and alcohol. 



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fry 



Fig. 2 



TAKING A DROP OF BLOOD 



The lobe of the ear is a very suitable place to select for this 

 purpose. It is more suitable than the finger-tip, as the latter 

 is more sensitive and more exposed to infection. The ear- 

 lobe should be cleansed with a little wad of cotton-wool 

 damped with ether. As soon as the skin is dry a puncture or 

 tiny incision is made. A drop of blood emerges, possibly only 

 after slight pressure. 



When sufficient blood has been taken for the desired films, 

 a little wad of cotton-wool is put on the wound. 



MAKING THE BLOOD FILMS 

 A. Thin smears 



A small drop of blood is put on the edge of the spreader. The 

 slide is put in a horizontal position and the film is made 

 after the manner indicated in fig. 3. 



