Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 1 1 December '85 37

Rx by Or Robert C Beit man

To begin our promised series on understanding the meaning of the blood analysis your physician orders, it will be very helpful to discuss the composition of blood. A shockingly common question asked of me when I speak to groups is whether there is any difference in the blood that comes from a black or white person. Humans are humans, and blood is blood. Sure, a person carrying the AIDS virus has blood you wouldn't want to use in a transfusion; the same for someone with hepatitis. Diseases carried in the blood are unrelated to race, but are most often related to the behavior of the individual human. HAVING SAID that, I can point out that every human's blood carries the specific characteristics of his/her lifestyle, genetic heritage (blood type), wellness history (evidence of prior mononucleosis, for example), and nutritional status (not enough iron, too much potassuim, etc.) All blood does have certain basic building blocks, in different proportions for each person. The two most bacis parts are blood cells (also called blood corpuscles) and plasma, the fluid which contains the cells.

THERE ARE red and white blood cells. The white cells protect the body from infection. They have many names; Neutrofils (for attacking bacteria). Lymphocytes )they recognize foreign substances in the body and help the body react against them); and others. The red blood cells contain the familiar protein called "hemoglobin". Hemoglobin combines with oxygen in the lungs and releases it to the tissues as the blood travels through the body. The red blood cells are also the sanitary engineers of the body, they carry our waste product from breathing, carbon dioxide, from the tissues to the lungs so it can be exhaled. THE THIRD BASIC type of blood cell is the platelet. These are the ones that rush into action when you get cut and make clotting possible. Their job is to plug up damaged blood vessels. Next week we'll discuss how blood banks work and in following weeks we'll cover the specific things each blood test leads us to suspect diagnostically. Dr. Beitman is president of the Cape May County Unit of the American Cancer Society, of which Health Watch is a public education project. To write your questions to Dr. Beitman, do so care of his office, 108 N. Main St., Cape May Court House, N.J. 08210. Cage Try outs CAPE MAY - Basketball registrations and tryouts for the city recreation basketball league will be held Saturday at the Cape May Elementary School. Boys and girls 8-10 are asked to be at the school by 11 a.m. Ages 11-14 should be at the school at 12:30 p.m. for registration and tryouts. For more information, call the Department of Civic Affairs at 884-8411. ext. 20 or 27.

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