Tocantins, in his chapter "The Blood Platelets—Past, Present and Future," states that in the present state of knowledge we do know that the platelet does exist, and that it plays an active role in the inception, progression, and completion of blood coagulation. We also know that the platelet originates from the megakaryocyte of the bone marrow, and that in human blood it numbers between 200,000 and 400,000 per cubic millimeter of blood. Our interest in the platelet, according to Tocantins, is due to realization that the platelet plays a role in coagulation and hemostasis, that the platelet can be separated, and that it plays an important role in various biological phenomena.
Blood Platelets is the 10th of the Henry Ford Hospital Symposia. The volume contains 51 contributions devoted to the subject of platelets. These contributions deal with the various aspects of the problem, the role of platelets in hemostasis and