Observations on Cobalt Polycythemia. I. Studies on the Peripheral Blood of Rats.

Abstract

Conclusions1. Injections of cobaltous chloride continued over a period of 8 months without apparent serious toxicity has resulted in persistent polycythemia during this period of a degree comparable to that occurring in polycythemia vera in man. 2. The average increases in blood volume and total erythrocyte mass as compared with controls was 80% and 192% respectively, due entirely to increase in erythrocytes since plasma volume decreased 16% on the average. 3. The erythrocyte of polycythemic animals as compared with the normal increased in volume 41% due almost entirely to an increase in the thickness of the cell. The hemoglobin content remains essentially unchanged.