The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1873-07-04
THE TRANSMISSION OF BLOOD.

At different times during the last year
or two the journals of the day have pub
lished accounts of successful expert
ments in the science of vivisection, or
the TRANSMISSION of blood, made on the
lower animals. The result was so en-
tirely satisfactory, in every instance,
that many prominent disciples of Escu-
lapius, not only in this city, but else
where, had come to believe that the sci
ence could be applied to the alienation
of human suffering with equally good
effect. A favorable opportunity for test
ing it presented itself in Chicago last
week, the particulars of which were re-
lated in the Tribune at the time. The
experiment was far from being success
full, but nevertheless it deserves the at
tention of the medical fraternity every
where. Toward the close of May a ro-
bust young man named George Carlsn,
who had been employed ON the North
western railroad, applied for admission
in the County Hospital, and gained it.
He was suffering from an abscess of the
axilla, almost directly beneath the
shoulder of the right arm. IT had made
its appearance two weeks before, and,
under the treatment of some bungling
quack, had progressed SO far that the
muscles of the part of the body where
it was located were severely contracted.
DIR. Strong, surgeon at the hospital,
operated upon the gathering immedi-
ately, and with such success that no Sc
rious consequences were anticipated.
The patient rapidly recovered, and was
so well during the Inter part of last
week that he spoke about going to work
soon. But while these pleasing thoughts
occupied his mind, his system was
gradually approaching deathly crisis.
The right subclavian artery, through
which the axilla receives its supply of
blood, ran through the abscess. The
disease rotted the artery, and on Satur-
day last it separated, producing flow
of blood so rapid that death would have
ensred i'll few seconds but for the
prompt application of remedies. The
relief was not permanent, however, as
repeated hemorrhages followed until
scarcely drop of blood was left in his
veins. The hospital corps Of physi-
clans held consultation, and came to
the conclusion that the only remedy that
remained to be tried was TRANSMISSION of
blood. The services of Prof. J. w.
Freer, who fills the chair of Physiology
in Rush Medical College, were secured,
and with the assistance of Surgeons
Bogue, Strong, and Hiddeson, and DIR.
Cbenoweth, the attempt at vivisection
was made. A robust and healthy pa
tient in the hospital volunteered to sup
ply. the necessary quantity of blood.
Between three and four ounces were Ia
ken from his arm, and placed in bowl
heated to temperature Of 9S degrees
by warm water. After the legation of
the subclavian artery at the shoulder,
vein was opened ut the bend of the left
elbow. Tubes were then inserted, and
the healthy blood wassent into the bsdy
through the agency of a powerful syr-
inge. Every drop of the fresh blood
was successfully transfused. The young
man seemed TO rally at first, and the
medical men, though dcspondent at first,
hoped forthe best. II soon became APP
parent, however, that the remedy had
been applied too late, and at 6 o'clock
in the evening the patient died.