A Study of the Morphology of the Living Cells of Blood and Bone Marrow in Vital Films with the Phase Contrast Microscope I. Normal Blood and Bone Marrow

r1-1H1 I)IAGNOSIS OF HEMATOLOGIC I)YSCHASIAS is ultimately I resolved to the microscopi(’ identification amid characterization of the cells of the l)boOd and bone marrow. ()ften the delineation between miormal and pat.hologic cell forms is dependent upon mimiute alterations in cellular morphology. The relative ease of visualization afforded by the phase contrast microscope for the study of the livimig cell has encouraged many laboratories to utilize this technic as an adjunct. to the diagnosis of hematobogic dyscrasias. It. is the purpose of this report to characterize and illustrate the cells of the normal blood and bone marrow on vital films with the phase contrast microscope amid to (‘orrelate these observations with those employing the supravital staining techmiic. Although numerous investigat.ors’’#{176} have studied the (‘ebbs of the hemopoietit system with the phase microscope, few have characterized these cells in sufficient. detail to provide ami adjunct in the study of the cytochemistry of the (ells an(l their components. In order to aid the experienced and to familiarize the Uninitiate(I investigator of the cells examined in vital films, we have considered it. esseuitial to summarize briefly the salient features of the cells of the hemopoietic system t.o serve as a useful guide amid to provide a foundation for further morphologic and cytochemical research.