Introduction to Haematology Down Under

Haematology is the study of blood and the organs involved in forming blood. The cellular compositioin of blood was not recognised until the invention of the microscope.

With a crude version of this instrument, Leeuwenhoak (1632-1723) was able to describe the red corpuscle (erythrocyte). White blood cells and platelets were discovered later, following improvements in the quality of lenses.

Improved methods for the examination of blood in the 1920s, and an increase in knowledge of blood physiology and blood-forming organs in the 1930s allowed anaemias and other haemopoietic disorders to be studied rationally.

The following list describes the topics these pages will (eventually) cover:

  • Routine Study Of The Blood
  • Anticoagulants
  • Preparation Of The Blood Film
  • Staining Of The Blood Film-Fixed and Supravital Preparations
  • Differential Count
  • Quantitative Study Of The Blood
  • White Cell Counting
  • Platelet Counting
  • Coagulation Screening Tests
  • Automated Cell Counting
  • Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
  • Bone Marrow Investigation
  • Haemostasis
  • Inhibitors of Haemostasis
  • Investigating The Clotting Mechanism
  • Red Cell Disorders
  • Anaemia
  • Haemoglobinopathies
  • Megaloblastic Anaemias
  • Non-Megaloblastic Anaemias
  • Pancytopaenia
  • Hypoproliferative Anaemias

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Haematology Down Under

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