258 LAB OK A TOR Y G U1DE IN PHYSIO LOG Y. 



To understand the appearance of pathological blood, a 

 knowledge of normal or physiological haematologyis essen- 

 tial. It is the object of the following pages to assist the 

 student in obtaining this knowledge and in laying the 

 foundation for the study of pathological haematology. 



A knowledge of the microscope and its technique is 

 essential and the work of the student should be so arranged 

 as to include considerable practice with that instrument 

 before entering upon a study of that subject. 



If the practitioner has a fair knowledge of pathology, 

 histology and bacteriology, with the help of the following 

 suggestions he may take up with profit the subject of 

 haematology. 



In class work the blood may be obtained from students. 

 The pain is minimized if the blood is properly obtained, 

 and practice on themselves will impress this fact upon the 

 students. The general practitioner can get material from 

 his patients. 



The technique of haematology can only be acquired by 

 practice. The student will secure this more readily than 

 the practitioner because his attention will not be dis- 

 tracted by diagnostic possibilities. It is well for the prac- 

 titioner to go over the whole ground several times for the 

 sole purpose of mastering every detail. Unless the tech- 

 nical part of the work is correctly and easily done, the 

 specimens will be unsatisfactory, the results will be untrust- 

 worthy and the knowledge of the subject imperfect. 



The methods here employed are those of the best 

 students of haematology with modifications from the ex- 

 perience of the author. Although the best to-day, to mor- 

 row they may be remembered only as the stepping stones 

 to more perfect work. Many truths are yet undiscovered 

 in this wonderful river of life the blood and the grati- 

 tude of a race will be due him who reveals them. 



