STUDIES ON BONE MARROW IN HYPERGLOBULINEMIA

Abstract

THE CLINICAL states in which hyperglobulinemia occurs include the following: multiple myeloma; chronic infections, such as tuberculosis, bronchiectasis and osteomyelitis; lupus erythematosus disseminatus; Boeck's sarcoid; Laennec's cirrhosis; anaphylaxis; carcinomatosis; kala-azar, and a variety of other conditions.¹ Despite the frequency with which hyperglobulinemia occurs, the site of origin of the globulins associated with disease states and, for that matter, of the normal complement of serum globulin is in considerable doubt.² Bing,³ in 1937, summarized the theories of the origin of blood proteins, especially the globulins. Metcoff and Stare^1e showed that the extrahepatic origin of globulins seemed well established, but that the specific site was still unknown. It is likewise generally accepted that the serum globulins are concerned with the immune mechanisms of the body.⁴ The gamma fraction is of chief importance, but the alpha and beta fraction are also believed to play roles in immunity.⁵ Presumably, normal globulins