During the epidemic of influenza prevalent in Baltimore in October, 1918, we had the opportunity to observe a series of cases in infants and children. It is our purpose to give a brief summary of the leukocyte counts in these cases, with some observations on their apparent relation to the severity and complicating factors of the disease.
Our material is drawn from cases seen and treated in the Harriet Lane Home and in the Harriet Lane Dispensary. In addition to these, approximately 150 patients were seen on extern visits. In these, however, there was no opportunity for blood studies, and the cases could not be followed carefully, hence they are not included in this report.
Eighty-one patients, in all, were followed in the dispensary and in the hospital. Owing to conditions these were of necessity the more critically ill children, and this must be borne in mind in considering the