Abstract
The problem of leucocytosis is an interesting and
important one. Its great significance in pathological conditions renders the knowledge of the
variations of the white blood cells under normal
physiological conditions necessary, for without this
knowledge our interpretation of the result of a
leucocyte count does not rest on a sound basis and may
be erroneous. Although some aspects of physiological
increase in the number of white cells have been studied
and settled, there seems to be much less definite
agreement regarding the effect of food on the number
of leucocytes in the peripheral blood of man. The
literature bearing on the subject is enormous, and the
results recorded are often contradictory in one or
more points. When such a state of confusion exists,
one is naturally at a loss as to what to believe.
To secure peace of mind, and to add one more evidence,
either in favour of or against one or the other
theory, more observations do not seem to be altogether;
uncalled for.