( 105 ) 



A regular diminution of volume is seen. 



Meanwhile among- the whiteblood-corpuscles there were a number 

 of red ones. In the case under consideration 569 red ones were 

 counted to 109 white, and the question now was whether, and to 

 what extent the red ones must be considered reponsible for this 

 result. In order to get an idea of the share that each had contri- 

 buted to the volume, let us for a moment suppose that the diameter 

 of the white corpuscles amounts to double that of the red ones, and 

 moreover that the latter are not discs but globules. In this case the 

 red corpuscles would represent a volume of 569, and the white 872. 

 This calculation tells undoubtedly to the advantage of the red cor- 

 puscles, seeing that the diameter of the white is more than double 

 that of the red, while the shape of the latter is a dinted disc and 

 not a sphere. 



In order now to inquire what share in the contraction and 

 expansion must be assigned to the influence of the red corpuscles, 

 the above experiment was made Avith red corpuscles only. If we 

 arrange the figures obtained, and the percentage alterations in volume 

 proceeding from them, in a table, whicJi at the same time contains 

 the results just obtained, a striking agreement is evident. 



From this table it appears that the alterations in volume of red 

 corpuscles are exactly similar to those exhibited by the mixture of 

 white and red, whence it follows that the red and white blood cells, 

 caeteris paribus, expand and contract in an equal measure. 



This remarkable result, which, as will presently appear, was 

 confirmed by many other experiments, was made the point of de- 

 parture for the investigation of which an account now follows. 



Though, as may appear from the introduction, it was originally 

 my intention to study the influence of the solution of diff"erent salts 

 on the volume of cells, I have hitherto occupied myself only with 



