Abstract
The quantitative and qualitative alterations induced by nitrogen mustards in the leukocytes of circulating blood are studied. Slight but constant numerical modifications have been observed in the first 24 hours after a single therapeutical dose; they consist in a slight initial increase (which lasts 1 hour about) followed by a temporary decrease. These variations have no statistical value; on the contrary, a diminished osmotic resistance of the circulating leukocytes, especially of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes, has been statistically demonstrated; this phenomenon is most evident 2 hours after the administration of the drug and demonstrates that the leukopenia from nitrogen mustards is not be ascribed only to a medullar lesion but also to a peripheral distruction of leukocytes caused by a diminution of their osmotic resistance.
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