LEUKEMIA. LEUCOCYTH^MIA. 



Definition. Nature. Result of other morbid processes. Leucocytes 

 polynuclear. Lymphatic leukaemia. Spleno-myelogenous leukaemia. 

 Leucocytes in each. Loss of amoeboid movement. Charcot's crystals, 

 Haematoblasts. Cell increase in bone marrow. Myelocytes. Enlarged 

 spleen and lymph glands. Haemorrhages. Lymphoid growths. Suscepti- 

 ble genera. Causes obscure. Symptoms, pallor, listlessness, weakness, 

 apncea, sweating, thirst, emaciation, weak circulation, anaemic murmur, 

 enlarged spleen, bleedings, diarrhoea, dropsy, excess of white globules, 

 reduction of red globules, bufiy coat, beaten fibrine is granular, china- 

 white mucosae, hurried breathing, stertor, deranged digestion, marasmus. 

 Duration. Not inoculable. Treatment, not hopefjil, as for anaemia, good 

 hygiene, tonics, stimulants, antiseptics. 



Definition. An excessive and persistent increase of the white 

 blood globules, and associated with enlargement of the spleen, 

 liver, lymph glands or bone marrow. 



Nature. This must be distinguished from the leucocytosis which 

 occurs during digestion, or that which attends on tuberculosis, 

 glanders, pneumonia, and other extensive inflammations and pro- 

 fuse suppuration. These forms are transient and the cells are of 

 the polynuclear variety. The cells of leukaemia are various in 

 character, but bear some relation to the particular organ which is 

 the seat of hypertrophy or morbid process. 



"In lymphatic leukaemia the increase in the number of leu- 

 cocytes is due to the mononuclear lymphocytes, especially of the 

 small form. As many as ninety-five per cent, of the colorless 

 cells may be of this form. In Spleno-Myelogenous leukaemia 

 the eosinophile cells may be especially increased in number, and 

 there are also large leucocytes coming apparently from the mar- 

 row of the bones, and called myelocytes. These most nearly re- 

 semble the larger lymphocytes of normal blood, but they are usu- 

 ally larger. They have a single large nucleus which stains feebly 

 and their bodies may show neutrophile granules. I^arger and 

 smaller nucleated red blood cells may be found in spleno-myeloge- 

 nous leukaemia. The leucocytes are frequently in a condition of 

 fatty degeneration, and there may be a decrease in the number of 

 red blood cells." (Delafield and Prudden). In splenic leucocy- 



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