THE SPAN OF LIFE OF THE RED BLOOD CELL. A RÉSUMÉ

Abstract

The evidence derived from bile pigment metabolism, differential agglutination and the use of isotopes shows that the life span of the red blood cell approximates 110-130 days under favorable conditions. In certain disease conditions, the life span is less (malignancy, 52 days; jaundice, 46; aplastic anemia, 26; splenic anemia, 44 to 55; hyperthyroidism and severe chronic infection, 52). The red blood cell is capable of under going repair in the circulation.