The blood of ruminants and the haematology of the domestic fowl in health and disease

Abstract

The general objects of the investigation were: (1) To study the histological appearances of the cells concerned. (2) To determine whether normal blood standards, comparable with those of man, exist in the species examined. (3) To observe the changes occurring in the type and distribution of blood cells following birth. (4) To ascertain whether the differential count is applicable to cattle or poultry as an aid to diagnosis. (5) To record the blood pictures occurring in the course of certain diseases, and (6) To find suitable subjects for further research studies.

While the above represent the general objects to be attained, the special study was one of purely veterinary import- ance, i.e. of endeavouring to find a technique suitable for field investigations, and capable of being applied and interpreted by the average veterinary practitioner. In conjunction with this, it was also necessary to decide which method of expressing the blood picture would be most appropriate from a clinical point of view. The methods and counts employed by the veterinary pathol- ogist are not necessarily those of the practitioner on the farm, whose sole object in taking blood smears is to acquire the information they can give as rapidly as possible, and apply it for diagnostic or prognostic purposes.

Briefly, therefore, the work has resolved itself into a study of the practical applications of clinical veterinary haematology.