Numbers of Circulating Neutrophil Granulocytes by Hemacytometer Counts Using Hinkelman's Diluent

¹ From the Department of Zoology, Pomona College, Claremont, California

Hinkelman's diluent containing phenol, formaldehyde, eosin and water has been found to permit clear-cut, rapid, quantitative determinations of circulating neutrophil granulocytes and eosinophils from hemacytometer counts. Ratios of neutrophil granulocytes to total circulating leucocytes in normal human subjects were found to be considerably lower than similar ratios from patients with various diseases. Markedly increased numbers of circulating neutrophil granulocytes and total leucocytes were observed following thermal injury in the rat. The number of these cells remained elevated during the 4-week period after burn compared to the numbers of similar cells in the unburned controls which showed only minor fluctuations. The hemacytometer method using Hinkelman's diluent for determining the numbers of circulating neutrophil granulocytes and eosinophils in relation to total leucocytes was found to be easier and more accurate than determinations made from other diluents or differential smears.