Interesting Cases of Blood Transfusion in the Nineteenth Century

Blood donation and blood transfusions were not part of regular practice in the nineteenth century. The procedures were carried out in urgent cases when, apart from blood transfusion, no other treatment method was effective. They were carried out mostly in Europe, most often in England, France, and Germany. Due to lack of knowledge of the compatibility of blood groups and the resulting blood transfusion reactions, problems with the prevention of blood clotting during blood transfusion and other technical problems such as contact with air and the difficulty of maintaining a constant flow remained. There were also problems with the amount of transfused blood because experts could not completely keep track of how much blood was actually transfused. Some enthusiastic doctors, such as the Swiss doctor Joseph Antoine Roussel, James Hobson Aveling, John Braxton Hicks, and many others, were constantly developing new, safer methods for the treatment of blood transfusions. They were aware that the blood transfusion of human blood requires a healthy and fit blood donor. Both sexes donated substantial amounts of blood, with male blood donors being more desirable. In the cases described, the main reason for donating blood in the nineteenth century was altruistic solidarity in the community.