154
s.-A. KILLMANN AND OTHERS
N
In =
where N,, = numberof mitotic cells in sample and N = numberofall cells
in sample.
In the Y-12 accident at Oak Ridge, Fliedner et al. (1959) followed the
mitotic index of the bone marrow after exposure. Bone marrow particles
were squashed, stained by Feulgen’s method, and the number of mitotic
figures among 3000-5000 cells enumerated. It should be noted that with
the method used, N represents all bone marrowcells irrespective of cell type
and maturation level. The reason for this is that in Feulgen-stained pre-
parations exact cytologicalclassification is not possible; nevertheless Feulgen
stain was used because it allows a more accurate recognition of mitotic
figures than do ordinary bone marrowstains.
In normal males the average mitotic index determined in this way is 8.8
per 1000 nucleated bone marrow cells. The Oak Ridge patients were first
studied on the 4th day after the accident. At this time there was a very
mat
/A-xb 7-68
FIG. 2
MITOTIC INDEX OF THE BONE MARROW IN VICTIMS OF THE Y-12 ACCIDENT
TTT TT TIT
o
20
4
4
x
i6r-
/
6
7}
SS We
‘6
UZ
=
Mitotic figures per 1000 nucleated cells
24-
LTTVeF
4F ‘
2fIF
\
\
{|
e
X
$
=F"
4
/
“
4
6
/
/
*
!
8
an
a
|
0
SN
i
12
&
~~
ee ~
x
1
14 16
I
I8
aan
i
20
“7
8
!
|
!
|
Lana
22 24 26 28 30
=
-
4
J
135
Days after exposure
Reproduced, by permission of S. Karger, Basel[New York
from Fliedner ec al. (1959).
S01 2830