222 
Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinlurgh. [march 5, 
The red corpuscles were in most cases crenated. The white cor- 
puscles continued to move as long as examined (some thirty minutes) , 
though fibrin threads had formed long ere that. Some white cor- 
j)uscles, however, did not exhibit amoeboid movement, but appeared 
abnormally transparent. 
This experiment was repeated several times with similar results. 
Many experiments were also performed at various temperatures, 
leading us to believe that a temperature of 65° F. was too low to 
allow of amoeboid movements in the white blood-corpuscles though 
the blood clotted, showing that metabolic changes were occurring in 
the blood. At a temperature above 74° F. the changes occurred in 
the blood so rapidly as to prevent the examination of the fluid 
before their commencement. 
We believe that these experiments demonstrate conclusively that 
glass and other chemically inert solids act as stimuli to the white 
corpuscles, as indicated by the fact that they exhibit amoeboid 
movements if the temperature permits. The stimulus is of the nature 
of a purely mechanical stimulus. 
As a result of its action, metabolic changes occur in the cells, 
associated at certain temperatures with changes of form. 
The white blood-corpuscles, devoid of an envelope, are exposed 
to the full stimulating effect of mechanical irritation, exhibiting 
changes in shape if temperature permits. The white corpuscles 
were also observed to tend to stick to the glass. 
Do White Blood-Corpuscles tend to h, euh down during 
Coagidation ? 
Schmidt * and others maintain that coagulation of blood is the 
direct result of death of the corpuscles, especially the white ones. 
We are certain, on the other hand, that some at least of both 
varieties of white blood-corpuscles are always found alive after 
coagulation. We have drawings of moving cells in blood which 
had clotted two days previously. We believe that very few, if any, 
corpuscles break down during coagulation. 
If a drop of blood be examined at intervals, noting the position of 
the white corpuscles, we find that some exhibit amoeboid movements, 
* Muller’s ArcMv, 1861, pp. 545-587 and 675-721. 
