276 



The Leucocytes in Malaria 



We shall consider (i) the total leucocytes, 

 (2) the percentage value of each kind. 



The Total Leucocytes. — We ma}' take 10,000 

 as the normal value per mm.', and as 5,000,000 

 is the normal value for red cells, the proportion 

 of white to red is 



WC_ 10,000 __ I 

 RC 5,000,000 500 



Now, in malaria, we may find two conditions, 

 either that the total number of leucocytes is con- 

 siderably below the normal value, 10,000, i.e., 

 there is leucopenia or hypoleucocytosis, or that 

 the total number is much above 10,000, i.e., leu- 

 cocytosis. If there is leucopenia, say, for instance, 

 the total number is 5,000 instead of 10,000, then 



WC 5,000 I • ,1 n ,■ WC 



=-^ = — '^ = , I.e., the traction =-^ 



RL 5,000,000 1,000 RU 



is smaller than normal. 



If, on the contrary, the total leucocytes are 



20,000 instead of 10,000, i.e., leucocytosis, then 



WC 20,000 I . .in,- WC • 



Ts-pr — = , I.e., the traction =-^ is 



RL 5,000,000 250 RC 



greater than normal. 



It is this ratio -g-^r that it is important to 

 RC 



determine, for unless the red cells are counted as 



well as the white, .little value attaches to the 



leucocytic value. 



Turning now to malaria, we find that we get 

 changes of the following kinds : — 

 (i) II a.m., rigor. Red cells = 2,900,000. WC_ i 



White cells 10,000 RC "290 



i.e., leucocytosis. 



