Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1874 — Transfusion of Blood—An Interesting Experiment. [ARTICLE]

Transfusion of Blood—An Interesting Experiment.

An interesting experiment was performed on Friday last in Fall River, Mass., by Drs. Julius Hoffman and Louis Weyland, of this city. Herman Dubois had suffered from consumption for five years, and had become very weak and debilitated. Physicians advised him to seek a warmer climate, but he had not sufficient strength to avail himself of this chance of relief. Dr. Hoffman had transfused blood from animals, dogs and lambs to the human subject with success in six cases, and it was determined to make the experiment upon Mr. Dubois. Mr. Hoffman described the operation as follows: “ A healthy, active Ispnb was procured and taken to the room where the patient reclined. The animal was laid upon its side. An incision was made on one side of the larnyx, exposing the carotid artery. When this artery was fully exposed, a ligature was tied around the vessel, shutting off completely the blood current. At a distance of about an inch and a half below the ligature a powerful pair of forceps was applied to the artery, compressing the vessel perfectly. Thus there was a space between the ligature and the forceps which could be opened without danger of hemorrhage. A small incision was made into the artery in this inclosed space. Then a glass tube slightly bent was inserted into the artery. A small isthmus of constriction had been made in the part of the glass tube inserted into the artery, which enabled the tube to be securely tied into the vessel. After the tube had been secured in the lamb’s artery everything was ready for work upon the patient. In Mr. Dubois’ arm the vein at the bend of his elbow connecting the basilic and cephalic veins was exposed. A bandage was tied around below the proposed incision to prevent a flow of venous blood from the wound. After exposing the vein by an incision an inch long, forceps were placed above and below, shutting off the blood current from a space about half an inch long. The lamb’s neck was then brought close to the patient’s arm and the pressure of the forceps upon the lamb’s artery relaxed. The blood rushed through the tube, expelling all the air. Then the opposite end was skillfully inserted into the patient’s vein and the pressure of the forceps upon the lamb’s artery removed. The bright blood rushed through the tube and entered the system of the patient. The stream was kept up for one minute and forty seconds. Then the compression was removed and the tube removed. Yesterday I heard from Mr. Dubois and he has sufficiently recovered his strength to enable him to visit a warmer climate this coming cold weather, with good prospects of regaining his health. The lamb is also alive and doing well.” A lamb used in the same manner in a former experiment in this city is still alive and is now tied in a stable in an adjoining street. The human subject was so much benefited that he spent the summer in the Catskills and is now in Baltimore. — New York Tribune.