.190:>.] The Measurement of Tissue- Fluid in Man. 53 



temperatures and altitudes. In this note I limit myself, however, to a 

 statement of results obtained in the former class of subjects only. 



The numerous observations which this inquiry necessitated on the 

 corpuscles, and on the haemoglobin, were made by the haemocytometer 

 tubes, and the haemoglobmometer, which were described by me before 

 the Physiological Society some few years ago,* and the specific gravity 

 of the blood was determined by Roy's method. The blood-pressures 

 (arterial, capillary, and venous) were read by the haemodynamometer,t 

 and Hill and Barnard's sphygmometer, and Professor Gartner's 

 tonometer, were also occasionally used in determining the arterial 

 pressure. 



Some of the general conclusions afforded by the observations may be 

 thus epitomised: 



1. The amount of tissue fluid varies at different times in the course 



of the day ; and each variation is of short duration. 



2. The ingestion of food produces a rapid flow of lymph into the 



tissue spaces, which in an hour after the meals acquires its 

 maximum development, and then it slowly subsides, and only 

 ceases to be apparent after the lapse of from 3 4 hours. 

 :>. The digestive curve of variation always follows the same general 

 type ; the rise being rapid, the acme short, and the subsidence 

 gradual. The variations were observed to follow this well- 

 defined order in all the healthy subjects so far submitted to 

 observation. The curve of variation is, therefore, rhythmical 

 the wave abruptly rising to an acme, and then somewhat slowly 

 subsiding. 



The following are two examples : 



Example 1. 



Percentage 

 Corpuscles per cent. Diff. of lymph. 



Before the meal 99} (4,950,000 per c.mm.) ~\ 

 (breakfast) 103 (5,150,000 )J 



1 hour after ... 91 (4,550,000 )\ 750 000 15 



106 (5,300,000 )/ >' OC 



2 hours after... 94(4,700,000 JA^onon 11 



105 (5,250,000 )/ 



3 hours after ... 96 (4,800,000 )1 400 000 8 



104 (5,200,000 )J 



4 hours after ... 98 (4,900,000 )1 150 000 ^ 



101 (5,050,000 )J 



* See 'Journal of Physiology,' Cambridge and London, vol. 19, p. xv. 



t Ibid., vols. 22, 23. 



J The figure on the first Hue represents the percentage of corpuscles before, and 

 the figure on the second line that after, compression of the finger by the rubber 

 ring. 



