668 INTERNAL SECRETIONS AND PRESERVATION OP LIFE. 



of the solution in the blood, but, instead, the functional con- 

 stituents of the tissues, i.e., myosinogen, myelin, etc. Again, 

 the rapid disappearance of the alkaline solution from the blood- 

 stream does not point to tissue absorption, but to escape into 

 the lymphatic spaces and circulation, the aggregate area of 

 which is over twice that of the blood-system. 



The introduction of the lymphatic system as a factor of 

 the problem before us, at once recalls the all-important pro- 

 tective role that leucocytes, as phagocytes, alexocytes, etc., 

 reviewed in the last chapter, play in the economy; it also re- 

 calls the evident connection between leucocytosis, or rather 

 leucocytogenesis, with all morbid processes. May we not have 

 in these white blood-corpuscles so little concerning which, as 

 regards their intrinsic biochemical function, is known the 

 main factor in the striking resuscitations which the use of sa- 

 line solution procures? These amoeboid cells must doubtless 

 be hampered in their movements (for they are not merely 

 dragged along as are the red corpuscles) as soon as the specific 

 gravity of the serum is raised; their pseudopodia cannot but 

 lose the freedom which adequate alkalinity of the fluid in which 

 they live had previously insured. 



Indeed, the closer is the intimate nature of the leucocyte 

 examined, the more does one become impressed with the thought 

 that this cell must be endowed with functions greatly exceed- 

 ing in importance any as yet ascribed to it. 



THE LEUCOCYTE IN ITS RELATIONS TO LIFE AND 

 ORGANIC FUNCTIONS. 



Before inquiring into the physiological functions of each 

 of the various varieties of white corpuscles or leucocytes, we 

 have thought it advisable to study the cell as a unit, and par- 

 ticularly the functional attributes of its main component struct- 

 ures: (1) the nuclear and cellular reticulum or mitoma; (2) 

 the granules. 



THE MITOMA. Alluding to basophile leucocytes, Howell 3 

 states that the nucleus "is divided into lobes that are either en- 

 tirely separated or are connected by fine protoplasmic threads." 



'Howell: Loc. cit. 



