S YDENHAM wrote \" And so Hysterical Diseases are most commonly cured ... but especially a Chlorosis, or Virgin's pale colour. I order some Chalybeate Remedy to be taken . .. for it raises a Volatile Ferment in the Vapid and Languid Blood, whereby the weak Spirits are raised . . . for as often as Steel is given in the Green-sickness, the Pulses are manifestly greater and quicker . .. and the pale and dead Countenance is changed and becomes fresh and lively\". (Sydenham 1705)

Abstract The present study is based on a sample of 100 Vokkaligas (90 males, 10 females) ranging in age from 6 to 20 years. The blood specimens collected have been analyzed for different hematological parameters i.e. haemoglobin estimation, red blood cell count, total leucocyte count and differential leucocyte count. The slides have also been examined for the presence or absence of malarial parasites. Haemoglobin estimated by acid haematin method has been found to be 10.25gm% in males and 9.56gm% in females. A trend of increase in haemoglobin level has also been observed upto 17-18 years in males whereas in females the level of haemoglobin fell with the increase of age from 7 years. The red blood cell count is 4.68 million/ cu mm in males and 4.49 million/cu mm in females. Total leucocyte count in males is 6947/cu mm and in females it is 6702/cu mm. No significant age changes have been observed in red blood cell count and total leucocyte count in both the sexes. The mean percentages of differential leucocyte count have been found to be: neutrophils (males 56.3%, females 54.9%) lymphocytes (males 26.43%, females 31.46%), monocytes (males 6.4%, females 5.9%), eosinophils (males 5.4%, females 4.2%), basophils (males 0.51%, females 0.52%). The percentage of neutrophils has increased with the increase of age in both the sexes, whereas percentage of lymphocytes decreases with age in males. Age changes seem to have no effect on the mean value of monocyte, eosinophils and basophils. The malarial parasite has been found in eight subjects (7 males and 1 female).

Haemoglobin estimation in general practice.

Citations

A Haematological Study of the Vokkaligas of Mysore