Did you know that blood transfusions have been around since 1667, when a French physician named Jean-Baptiste Denis performed the first recorded blood transfusion? In the centuries since, blood donation has become an integral part of modern life. Let’s take a look at the history of this life-saving practice.
A Long History
The first recorded attempt at a successful human-to-human blood transfusion took place in 1667. This was done by Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denis, who successfully transfused sheep’s blood into a 15-year-old boy suffering from anemia. Unfortunately, due to the lack of sterile techniques and understanding of human physiology, it would be another 200 years before any further attempts were made.
In 1818, British obstetrician James Blundell conducted the first successful human-to-human blood transfusion between two patients. He used a syringe to transfer donated blood from one patient to another, and this technique became known as “syringeal transfusion.” Blundell went on to perform many more successful transfusions using his own method and is still remembered as one of the pioneers in the field today.
Modern Blood Donation
Today’s modern procedures for donating and storing blood are vastly different than those used centuries ago. Before giving blood, donors must go through a series of tests to determine their eligibility and ensure that their donated blood is safe to use for medical purposes. After passing the tests, they are asked to fill out paperwork and answer questions related to their health history before they can donate their blood. Once they have passed all these requirements, donors have their vital signs checked (such as heart rate and temperature) before donating their blood into special containers that can store it for up to 42 days with proper refrigeration.
Blood donation has come a long way since its origins in 1667 when Jean Baptiste Denis carried out his groundbreaking experiment. Today’s modern procedures allow us to safely donate our own valuable resource for medical purposes — allowing us to help save lives every day! Donating your own precious resource is an incredibly selfless act that can make an incredible difference in someone else’s life — which is why we should all consider donating our own if we can! If you’re interested in learning more about how you can help out by giving back through donation, visit your local center now!
