Effect of Gases on Red Blood Cells

If the red blood cells of a frog be first exposed to the action of water vapor (which renders their outer pellicle more readily permeable to gases), and then acted on by carbonic acid, the nuclei immediately become clearly defined and strong granulated, when air or oxygen is admitted the original appearance is at once restored. The upper and lower cells in this figure show the effect of carbonic acid; the middle one the effect of the readmission of air. The effects can be reproduced five or six times in succession. If, however, the action of the carbonic acid be much prolonged, the granulated of the nucleus become permanent; it appears to depend on a coagulation of the paraglobulin.

Downloads