Origin and Death of the Red Blood-Corpuscle. 301 



particles for each other not being equal to the external pressure 

 after they attain a certain growth. As a result of cell division, spheri- 

 cal, nucleated, colored corpuscles would be produced, sufficiently- 

 reduced in size to enter the circulation; and we have proof positive 

 that they do enter as suggested above. Special precautions must 

 be taken to demonstrate the presence of these corpuscles in the 

 circulating blood, and Schmidt believes them to be always present 

 in normal blood, in limited numbers. They are also seen in the 

 medulla of bone. They have the appearances of white blood- 

 corpuscles, colored with the haemoglobin of the red. 



When lymph, taken from the thoracic duct or any other lymph 

 vessels in the system, is examined immediately, it is found to be 

 colorless, or nearly so ; but when allowed to clot, it assumes a 

 decided pinkish tinge, which, by microscopical examination, is 

 found to be caused by the presence of red blood-corpuscles. The 

 red corpuscles appearing so constantly after the v/ithdrawal of the 

 lymph from the body, could hardly have an accidental origin. 

 (Dalton's Physiology, 6th ed., p. 368.) 



Recklinghausen saw the white cells of frog's blood develop into 

 red corpuscles, even when out of the body. {Arch.fiir Alic. Anat., 

 1866, p. 137.) Were there not such a difference between them in 

 structure and form, these facts would lead to the conclusion that 

 the white corpuscles give origin to the red. Kolliker, Neu- 

 mann, and Schmidt are of the opinion that the nucleus disappears 

 from the white cells, while Huxley holds that the red corpuscles 

 represent the bare nucleus of the former. Beale has taught us, 

 that as the cell grows in age its nucleus diminishes in size. His 

 method of staining certainly supports his statements. (Beale, 

 Mic. in Med., 4th ed., pp. 232 and 259.) If the haemoglobin is 

 not deposited in the white corpuscles until they have reached a 

 certain age, they will be entirely without a nucleus. If, as is 

 claimed by Bottcher and verified at this laboratory (this 

 Journal, October, 1878, p. 46), the red corpuscle has a nucleus the 

 hfemoglobin must have been deposited prior to the time just given. 



This time may be associated with the period when the white 

 cell ceases its active amoeboid movements, becoming passive, a 

 condition which would occur most naturally when it was old and 

 its nucleus small. The appearance derived from following the 

 methods of Bottcher is said to be due to the coagulating effect of 

 the corrosive sublimate on the albumen of the red corpuscle. If this 

 is true, it seems strange that the coagulating agent does not serve 



