The Effect of Benzene on the Production of Antibodies

Selling1 found that in rabbits benzene in suitable doses causes profound destruction in the hemopoietic structures, especially of the marrow, followed when recovery takes place by prompt regeneration, which is complete in from 10 to 20 days. During the height of this effect there develops a marked leukopenia, involving the granular cells relatively more than the lymphocytes. Fatty changes may develop in the kidneys and the liver, and hemorrhages in the lungs and pleura, the stomach, etc. Some reduction of red corpuscles results, embryonal red cells may appear in the blood, and the blood platelets may be reduced also,2 marrow giant cells being destroyed.3 In view of this more or less selective action of benzene on tissues and cells that are concerned in