2f)2 CIRCULATING FLUIDS: 



increase of the corpuscles, so that the proportion between the 

 two gradually dift'ers more and more from the normal mixture. 



The exceptions to this rule are caused either by some in- 

 flammatory complication, as in the fifth case, where an acute 

 attack of bronchitis accompanied the fever, or by the patient 

 being in a state of convalescence as in the fifth analysis, in 

 cases 6 and 7. 



Andral and, Gavarret ofi'er no explanation of the peculiarities 

 in the foiirth case. 



The solid constituents of the blood are more frequently above 

 than below the normal standard, but the proportion is a fluc- 

 tuating one, and dependent, as we shall presently see, on the 

 progress of the disease. 



Lecanu has analysed the blood of two persons suffering from 

 typhoid fever. As he did not determine the amount of fibrin, 

 the proportion of that constituent to the corpuscles cannot be 

 shown. Their absolute quantity is less than in normal blood. 

 Lecanu also states, that he thinks that a paucity of corpuscles 

 may be inferred from the smallness and friability of the clot,^ 

 a statement at variance with the researches of Andral and 

 Gavarret. 



Lecanu also found a diminution of the solid constituents 

 generally : — 



' I may take this opportunity of saying a few words regarding the possibility of 

 drawing a correct inference respecting the amount of fibrin and of corpuscles from 

 the clot. We are justified in assuming the existence of a great quantity of fibrin 

 from a large and very firm clot, and a small amount from a small diflluent clot. We 

 cannot, however, with the same accuracy, draw similar influences respecting the 

 amount of corpuscles. On receiving the blood of a cachectic horse into a high 

 cylindrical glass and into a shallow vessel, a large and very firm clot generally forms 

 in the latter (unless, as is sometimes the case, the blood-corpuscles sink during coagu- 

 lation), and little serum is expressed ; while, in the other vessel, two distinct layers 

 are observed, a large one, consisting of firmly coagulated fibrin, containing serum, 

 below which there is a much smaller layer, consisting of semifluid blood-corpus- 

 cles. As the albumen inclosed in the coagulated fibrin in the high glass forms a very 

 solid mass resembling apseudopolypus or butfy coat, we see that, independently of the 

 corpuscles, a very firm clot may be formed ; indeed, in inflammatory blood, this is 

 often observed to a greater or lesser degree. There may, consetpiently, be as many 

 blood-corpuscles in a small and loose clot as in a large and firm one ; moreover, we 

 usually find numerous corpuscles suspended in the serum and deposited at the bottom 

 of the vessel, in addition to those contained in the clot, in blood deficient in fil)rin. 

 The relative amount of corpuscles and of fibrin in clots of diiferent size and con- 

 sistence is a subject wortliy of investigation. 



