Phagocytes

Phagocytes, the white or colourless blood-corpuscles, which are also called leucocytes. They are active amœboid cells, and engulf both nutritive and harmful particles. Since the researches of Metschnikoff the manifold physiological importance of these elements has been increasingly appreciated. Thus, it is generally recognised that the destruction of invading bacteria is due to the health and activity of the phagocytes. See BLOOD.