The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-03
CURIOUS SURGICAL SUCCESS.
Transrusion of Blood.

The Medical Record, fo- October l, publishes
an account by DR.. Joseph Buchscr, OF New York,
OF successful operation OF a kind commonly
dreaded and avoided by the most skilful surgeons.
The patient, a young German woman, lost much
blood after an attack OF typhus fever, became re-
duced in strength, and was apparently dying.
AS o last hope DR.. Buchser proposed to her hus-
band this dangerous operation Of q TRANSMISSION
of healthy.blood from his vigorous body into her
veins. The husband consented and DR.. Guleke,
who was called in consultation, assisted at the
experiment. The following account is given Of
what occurred:
After q satisfactory trial OF the TRANSMISSION
syringe OF Eulenburg- -Landois, we proceeded to
the operation We bandaged her right upper arm
previously having done the same TO her vigorous
and healthy husband, aged twenty-Sevcn.
graduated glass; ready to receive the blood and
syringe were lying in the water OF 40 deg. Z. The
medan basilic vein was the most prominent.
made an incision OF an inch In length, and dis.
sected the skin till the vessel appeared, covered
by its sheath. The cellular tissue OF the vein was
raised and cut, o soude introduced in the hollow,
the cellular tissue in both directions separated
and the vein was free.
An eared-curved soude, provided with two silk
threads was pushed under the vein; both threads
were separated ut distance OF about sec.
Thus by raising these threads every fluX and re-
the influx OF air after the opening Of the vein was
prevented
We then proceeded to the venesection OF the
husband. During powerful flow OF the blood .
solution Of carb. sodc, IA OC+O, was added
grains to DIR. il. aq.; as far rs it united with the
blood the same took lively red color. Lifting
, the vein, V-shaped incision was made with
small scissors. The large syringe Of Euienburg-
Landois was rapidly filled, surrOundedby by warm
cloth, the canule affixed, the air expelled and the
point OF the syringe introduced in the vein about
twelve seconds. The TRANSMISSION OF about two
ounces was easily accomplished At once de-
cidcd resistance was felt; immediate change Of
position OF the canue proved of no avail. The sy-
ringe was withdrawn the canule detached; CO.
agulated blood was found in 1t. Syringe anu Gu
mule were emptied and cleaned, abOut three
ounces of fresh blood were received In the instru-
ment, and above one ounce was again injected.
The patient, who could not possibly be an;rs-
thetized, underwent the operation with case.
The vain was both sides underbound; the
patient looked instantly refreshed, and said, Il
feel better" She relished at once glass of claret
and water.
In three-quarters OF an hour the operation was
accomplished. Pulse Immediately after the oper
alton had fallen to l16, resprations lG. 0ne'hour
later, pulse 1O8, respratlons, Is.
During the afternoon patient felt very hungry
and thirsty; took light food and drank pint
bottle OF clarct. Evening, pulse ll6, rcspiratons,
%, temperate, 377 degrees5C.
The great danger OF this operation lies in the
possibility of injecting coaguated fbrine into the
vein, or bubble Of air, either OF which will be
fatal TO the patient. DR.. Buchser thinks his plan
Of using ''de1brinated blood" and that after
Dienenbach's method, as described in this paper,
perfect security against both dangers. or
course, no unpracticed hands, and no mind un-
familiar with the history Of tranfusion both in its
few brilliant successes and in its terrible acc-
dents, will venture to attempt such ON operation
as this. But few such cases as this would afford
the hope that, in sklllu hands, TRANSMISSION OF
blood may become powerful agent for good, in
an important class OF cases.