Blood transfusion: The genesis

Abstract

The 19^th century witnessed the genesis of blood transfusion, whose history goes back several centuries. Then, after a century and a half of oblivion, an interest in blood transfusion revived again. The major contribution to the development of blood transfusion was made by the graduates of the University of Edinburgh. High among them was James Blundell, who performed the first human-to-human transfusion in 1818. His contribution is one of the first systematic studies in this field and ushered in a new era of transfusion medicine. He, along with his followers, many of whom are undeservedly forgotten, proved the danger of heterologous blood transfusions, found that venous blood was as suitable as arterial blood, developed approaches to preventing blood clotting (warming, defibrination, anticoagulants), improved transfusion techniques and equipment, and noted it was important to avoid air inside the transfusion set. The development of blood transfusion encouraged research into the intravenous injection of various liquids and gases contributing to the development of intravenous therapy. However, blood transfusion was being introduced into the medical practice slowly, as it often led to the death of patients. This was due to the imperfection of the procedure and tools and unawareness of human blood incompatibility. This review explores the key advances in the development of blood transfusion in foreign physiology and medicine in the 19^th century.