FRAGILITY AND MATURATION OF RETICULOCYTES

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Abstract
The experimental observations reported here were designed to give additional information as to the relative ability of the reticulocytes to withstand such hemolytic substances as saponin in the living animal and in shed blood and to determine the rate and extent to which they mature into nonreticulated cells. These points were considered of importance in connection with the validity of the two current theories as to the origin of macrocytic hyperchromic (addisonian or pernicious) anemias. The maturation theory ascribes the disease to the absence of sufficient quantities of a substance needed for the maturation and release of the red cells; the hemolytic theory ascribes the disease to the action of an absorbed hemolytic agent. Since neither theory is adequately proved, it seemed desirable to know more about the properties of the curious vital-staining cells, the sudden increase of which, in spontaneous and induced remissions of macrocytic anemia, is such a

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