the development of blood transfusions and the storage of blood

What was a blood transfusion

Blood taken from a healthy person and given to another person

What was a major problem in surgery before 1900s

Blood loss

When were the first blood transfusion experiments

Performed in 1819 by James Blundell

Could blood be stored

No, it had to be used as soon as possible

How were transfusions initially carried out

With the donor being directly connected by a tube to the recipient

3 problems with the early use of blood transfusions

• blood clots as soon as it leaves the body and so the tube became blocked up

• Blood of donor was sometimes rejected by recipient because they weren’t compatible

• A danger of infection from unsterilised equipment. However this problem was being solved with the introduction of aseptic surgery

Who discovered blood groups and when

Karl Landsteiner 1901

How did the British use blood transfusions

Blood transfusions were used at base hospitals on western front from 1915. This was extended to Casualty Clearing Stations from 1917

How was blood transfusions used close to the front line

A portable blood transfusion kit was used close to the front line

Who designed the portable blood transfusion kit

Geoffrey Keynes