160 



OF THE BLOOD. 



142. The principal part of the substance *of the Red Corpuscles is formed by 

 the two compounds Globulin and Hsematin, whose distinctive characters have 

 been already described ( 23, 31). That the Haematin is in a state of solu- 

 tion in the contents of these blood-cells, cannot be doubted; but as regards the 

 condition of the Globulin there is room for more diiference of opinion, some 

 considering it to be also in a fluid state, and to form the remainder of the cell- 

 contents, whilst others have regarded it as the constituent of the cell-walls. 

 To the latter doctrine, however, the liberation of Globulin as well as of Hsema- 

 tin, when the Red Corpuscles are caused to burst by being treated with water 

 ( 139), appears a sufficient objection, the cell-walls themselves not being dis- 

 solved j and the very large proportion which the Globulin bears to the Haematin 

 is scarcely less significant. The following is given by Prof. Lehmann (op. 'cit. ; 

 band ii. p. 152) as the relative Chemical constitution of the Red Corpuscles 

 and of the Liquor Sanguinis, which there is a great advantage in thus bringing 

 into comparison. 



likely to become of interest in Juridical inquiries, in which it is frequently of importance 

 to ascertain the precise source of stains whose sanguineous character has been determined. 



. 1-4230 



. 1-4267 



. 1-4324 



. 1-4404 



. 1-4600 



. 1-5300 



. 1-6366 



Thus it appears quite possible to distinguish the blood of all the animals enumerated, from 

 that of Man, by the measurement of the diameter of the Red Corpuscles ; those of the Dog 

 and of the Rodents approaching his most nearly in size, whilst those of the Ruminant and 

 Pachydermatous quadrupeds, and of the Cat, are considerably smaller. It is important, 

 however, to bear in mind, that the specimens of blood submitted to examination in Juridical 

 inquiries will for the most part have been dried ; and it is, therefore, of consequence to 

 know the comparative dimensions of the blood-disks, after they have been submitted to this 

 process. These are given as follows, by Schmidt, in his recent work on the diagnosis of 

 suspicious spots in criminal cases ("Die Diagnostik verdachtiger Flecke im Criminal- 

 faller") ; the measurements being expressed in decimals of a millimetre. 



Maximum. 



0.0080 

 0.0074 

 0.0070 

 0.0068 

 0.0065 

 0.0065 

 0.0062 

 0.0060 

 0.0060 

 0.0048 



Minimum. 



0.0074 

 0.0066 

 0.0060 

 0.0060 

 0.0060 

 0.0058 

 0.0054 

 0.0053 

 0.0053 

 0.0040 



The relative sizes of the Red Corpuscles expressed by this Table will be seen to corre- 

 spond closely with those assigned by Mr. Gulliver, in every case but that of the Pig, with 

 regard to which there must certainly be a mistake on one side or the other. The oval 

 form and prominent nucleus of the Red Corpuscles of all the oviparous Vertebrata enable 

 them to be distinguished from those of Man without the slightest difficulty ; consequently 

 no question can ever lie between a stain left by the blood of a Fowl, a Turtle, or a Cod, 

 and that left by Human blood, when the corpuscles can be distinctly made out with the 

 assistance of the microscope. 



