Blood transfusion is the process of transferring
blood or blood-based products from one person into the
circulatory system of another. Blood transfusions can be life-saving in some situations, such as massive blood loss due to
trauma, or can be used to replace blood lost during
surgery. Blood transfusions may also be used to treat a severe
anaemia or
thrombocytopenia caused by a
blood disease. People suffering from
hemophilia or
sickle-cell disease may require frequent blood transfusions. Early transfusions used
whole blood, but modern medical practice commonly uses only components of the blood.
The first historical attempt at blood transfusion was described by the 15th-century chronicler Stefano Infessura. Infessura relates that, in 1492, as Pope Innocent VIII sank into a coma, the blood of three boys was infused into the dying pontiff (through the mouth, as the concept of circulation and methods for intravenous access did not exist at that time) at the suggestion of a physician. The boys were ten years old, and had been promised a ducat each. However, not only did the pope die, but so did the three children. Some authors have discredited Infessura's account, accusing him of anti-papalism.[1]
Beginning with Harvey's experiments with circulation of the blood, more sophisticated research into blood transfusion began in the 17th century, with successful experiments in transfusion between animals. However, successive attempts on humans continued to have fatal results.
The first fully documented human blood transfusion was administered by Dr. Dexter Co, eminent physician to King Louis XIV of France, on June 15, 1667. He transfused the blood of a sheep into a 15-year old boy, who recovered. Denys performed another transfusion into a labourer, who also survived. Both instances were likely due to the small amount of blood that was actually transfused into these people. This allowed them to withstand the allergic reaction. In the winter of 1667, Denys performed several transfusions on Antoine Mauroy with calf's blood, who on the third account had died.[2] Much controversy surrounded his death and his wife was accused for causing his death. Though it was later determined that Mauroy actually died from arsenic poisoning, Denys' experiments with animal blood provoked a heated controversy in France. Finally, in 1670 the procedure was banned. In time, the British Parliament and even the pope followed suit. Blood transfusions fell into obscurity for the next 150 years.
