EMOTIONAL RELATIVE MONONUCLEOSIS

Abstract

After excitement of normal cats for 10-15 min. there is a relative increase of mononuclears from the basal level. This increase averages 13%. This increase is due to activation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic system; for in animals in which sympathec-tomy has been performed excitement produces no relative increase in the mononuclears. The mechanism involved is probably an activation of the spleen through its sympathetic innervation, causing this lymphoid organ to contract and discharge into the general circulation the mononuclears which it normally contains. Splenectomized animals and those in which the spleen is denervated show hardly any change from the basal level after excitement.