1901-2]. Experimental Observations on Leucolysis. 
289 
Experimental Observations on Leucolysis. By Alex- 
ander Goodall, M.D., M.R.C.P.E., and Edward Ewart, 
M.B., Ch.B. Communicated by Dr D. Noel Paton. (With 
a Plate.) 
(Read July 7, 1902.) 
In examining stained "blood films we have frequently observed 
necrobiotic changes in the white cells. These changes have been 
referred to by different authors. Cabot (1) writes, “frequently 
in leukaemia and occasionally in other conditions one sees 
leucocytes apparently moribund. That they are not always 
artifacts is shown by the fact that in normal blood they do not 
appear when treated by the same technique, that reveals them in 
the blood and hardened clot of leukaemic cases, as well as by the 
fact that Botkin and others have produced similar appearances by 
keeping the leucocytes a few days in an aseptic state.” 
Ehrlich and Lazarus (2) describe fraying and budding of the 
protoplasmic border in large lymphocytes. Gulland (3), in a 
recent paper, has described degenerative changes in the cells from 
the blood in pleural effusions. Ewing (4) describes degenerative 
changes in the leucocytes, and gives references to the more important 
literature on the subject. 
A paper by Leishman (5) on phagocytosis suggested to us a 
method by which these changes might be investigated. We found 
that all degrees of necrobiotic changes could be produced by the 
action of organisms ; but, after familiarising ourselves with their 
appearance, we noticed that an occasional cell in our “ controls ” 
showed similar changes, and on further investigation we have been 
able to demonstrate them even in healthy blood. 
Our procedure was as follows: We measured with a Thoma- 
Zeiss leucocytometer (usually to the mark *5) a quantity of sterile 
normal salt solution warmed to 98‘4° F., and placed this on a 
slide previously warmed and labelled. A similar quantity of the 
blood to be examined was added, and a loopful of organisms was 
gently stirred into the mixture. A cover-glass was then applied, 
PRO. ROY. SOC. EDIN. — YOL. XXIV. 19 
