THE SOURCE OF THE LYMPHOCYTOSIS INDUCED BY MEANS OF HEAT

A striking number of mitotic figures have been observed in the germinal center of the spleen and lymph glands during the regeneration of the cellular elements of these organs after the destructive effect of heat. This enhanced cell proliferation is interpreted as more than compensating for the degenerated cells, because of the subsequent enlargement of the organs. It has also been pointed out that the characteristic decrease in the number of lymphocytes immediately after the heat treatment is always accompanied by an extensive cell degeneration in spleen and lymph glands at the corresponding period. On this basis it seems evident that the pronounced lymphocytosis induced by means of heat treatment of the animal is due, at least in part, to the enhanced proliferative activity of germinal centers in the spleen and lymph glands, reacting to the destructive effect of heat upon lymphoid cells.