STUDIES IN THE NORMAL HUMAN WHITE BLOOD CELL PICTURE

Abstract

The variations in the white blood cell count of 16 male adults are reported. Determinations of the total number of cells were made at 15 min. intervals over periods of 4 to 5 hrs. The figure given for the total at each interval was the result of the counting of the number of cells in 8 sq. mm. of a Levy-Hausser counting chamber for each of two pipettes. None of these individuals had food on the day the observations were made until the expt. had been concluded. 6 of these 16 subjects were allowed to have slight activity for 1 to 13/4 hrs. during the course of the expt. The remaining 10 subjects were recumbent during the entire period. Simultaneous supravital and fixed differential counts were made on 12 of the subjects. The results indicated that there were very slight physiologic variations in the number of the white blood cells in humans under basal conditions. Short periods of mild activity produced no significant changes in the curves. No rhythm was detected. Non-motile cells were considered to be artefacts. 65 observations on change of posture were made on both normal subjects and those with a variety of clinical disorders. No significant variations in the total number of leucocytes resulted.