Splenic anaemia and Banti's disease

Abstract

From the cases under observation, - Cases'1 & 2 diagnosed as splenic anaemia; cases 3 & 5 diagnosed as Banti's disease; we note the close similarity of the differential counts. The presence of nucleated reds mostly normoblasts, and of myelocytes; and the increase in the transitionals, mast cells and eosinophile cells,in all these four cases would suggest that these affections have after all quite a distinctive blood picture which no writer has described. This view is substantiated by the absence of this characteristic picture in ease No. 4, which from the history and symptoms was improbable to be splenic anaemia or Banti's disease.With regard to treatment there Is but one and this is Splenectomy without which the disease is progressive and fatal. In case No. 3, this procedure was sufficient to preVent the recurrence of ascites.Mr. Hey Groves recently told me that the case which he described in The Bristol Medico-chirurgical Journal, Dec. 1913 , p. 331, as having recurring ascites after splenectomy and which required frequent tapping has now quite recovered, no recurrence of ascites occurred, although the Talma- Morrison operation which he suggested might be useful for the relief of the ascites was not performed.