414 Mr. L. C. Wooldiidge. Relation of White [June 16, 



The first of these two subjects the author considers here. 

 For this purpose the leucocytes of lymphatic glands have been used 

 as material. 



It can be considered as in the highest degree probable that these are 

 essentially identical with white blood corpuscles. 



The leucocytes are obtained by finely dividing the glands (mostly 

 the mesenteric glands of the calf) and gently rubbing the fragments in 

 a mortar with J per cent, solution of common salt. 



By filtration through a fine cloth, the cells are separated from the 

 other constituents of the glands which remain behind on the filter, the 

 cells passing through. 



By means of the centrifugal machine, the leucocytes are well washed 

 out with a % per cent, solution of common salt. The cells are perfectly 

 distinguishable under the microscope and are apparently uncharged. 

 After the washing out is completed, the cells are suspended in a little 

 normal salt solution and are subjected to various experiments, the most 

 important of which are as follows : — 



1. The lymph cells are changed by simple chemical reagents into a 

 substance closely resembling fibrin. 



If to one volume of suspended cells an equal volume of 10 per 

 cent, solution of common salt is added, the whole is immediately con- 

 verted into a peculiar semi-transparent jelly. 



If this be poured into water, or into 1 per cent, solution of common 

 salt, it becomes immediately opaque. 



It now appears in the form of a white rounded lump, or it forms 

 large membranes, often many inches in extent. 



These latter have the greatest resemblance to fibrin membranes such 

 as appear in plasma obtained by various methods. The resemblance of 

 the product to fibrin is made much more apparent if the substance be 

 freed, by means of filtration and expression, as much as possible from 

 water. It then appears as small flocculi, distinctly fibrous in their 

 texture and elastic. 



The chemical behaviour of these flocculi are as follows : — 



In water they are insoluble. 



In solutions of common salt, they gradually swell up. 

 In 0*2 per cent, hydrochloric acid, they are totally insoluble ; if 

 anything, they become firmer and more elastic. 

 In dilute alkalies, they gradually dissolve. 



The microscopical examination shows that the cells, as such, have 

 disappeared. Only nuclei, imbedded in a distinctly fibrous ground 

 substance, are visible. 



If the leucocytes are treated with distilled water, or with solutions 

 of sulphate of magnesia, similar results are obtained. The cells are 

 changed into a fibrous mass, with nuclei imbedded therein. 



