Incidence of Rh Factor Among the Indians of the Southwest

Abstract

Within the last 12 years the Indians of the Southwest have been investigated as to the occurrence of the various agglutinogens. Allen and Schaeffer reported on the classic blood groups, and Allen and Larsen reported their findings on the M and N agglutinogens. The basis of this report is the Rh factor among the above mentioned Indians. The Indians tested were patients at the U. S. Indian Hospital and the Indian School Hospital at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Students of the Indian School at Albuquerque and the Day School at Isleta were also used in this study. The age range was from school age to 60 years. Lederle's Anti-Rh Serum (Anti-Rh0) was used in this series of tests; this serum is of animal origin. Two drops of blood to be tested were added to 0.5 cc of physiological saline containing 1% sodium citrate. One drop of the cell suspension is placed on a clean glass slide. Next to this is placed one drop of Anti-Rh Serum. The two are mixed with a glass rod and finally by tilting the slide back and forth once. The slide is placed undisturbed on the table for 3 minutes. At the end of this time the slide is picked up and given 2 or 3 gentle turns.