The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-05-26
TRANSMISSION OF HOOD.
The Recent Experiments upon
Gen. Frank n. Blair. by the
-. LOuis Physicians, and
Ihe Results.
Special Correspondence Chicago Tines

OF. LOUIS, N1A0 ~, 1910.
The medical process known as trasfu
sion of blood is exciting a great deal OF
interest in St. Louis, attention having
been called more especially to the matter
through the recent experiments upon
Gen. Frank p. Blair, and the apparent.
ly wonderful results attained. General
Blair, while filling the uneXpired SEN
atorial term Of Judge Drake, began 10
fail in health, and after the Senatorial
canvass in the Legislature two years ago,
which resulted in the election Of Bogy,
his powers seemed to give way almost en-
tirely. His friends obtained@tor him n
sinecure in the SUPPLEMENTARY of insu-
rance in Missouri, and the General has
been spending nearly all the time since
at the Clifton Springs Water-Cure, in
New York State, in the hope of recuper-
alton. His attack was IA slow disease of
the brain and prostration of the nervous
power, brought on, according to his ply
sicians, by intense mental strain and eX-
ertIon, coupled with the excessive use of
tobacco and stimulant. The disease
threatened the gradual wasting away of
the intellect, and the living death of par
alysis. Complete relaxation, avoidance
of all excitement, careful diet and the
simple tonic of cold water treatment,
were prescribed as the only possible rem
edies, and, to obtain these, General
Blair took up his residence at Clifton
Springs.
Like the rest of his family, Frank p.
Blair was in his time possessed Of SPLEEN
did physique and an iron constitution.
A weaker man would have fallen under
the burdens and abuses ten years earli
err. The treatment promised for Il time
to bring about a restoration of at least
partial health. The hope was a delusive
one, however, and year ago the conclu-
sion was forced upon General Blair's
mind that he could never be more than
an invalid. 1t was then that he renoun-
ced the "pomps and vanities," told his
friends he should never again enter the
political arena, and then united with the
PRESBYTERIAN Church at Clifton. lie re-
NAMED at the cure all last summer and
fall, finding temporary relief in the treat
ment. Early in the winter he reached
home, a mere wreck Of himself, as his
friends had known him here. A Sena-
torial contest-the one i'll which Cock
erell won-was coming on, and Blair's
old henchmen and allies called on him,
looked on his shruuken form, expressed
sympathy, and went away sorrowful, rec
ognizing that the political giant upon
whom was supposed 10 have fallen the
magnetic power Of Benton, had wasted
his strength.
Blair fingered along through the win
ter at his home in this city, gradually
failing in strength, physical and mental.
Six weeks ago he had sunken so low as to
be unable 10 recognize his friends or
help himself, and he lay helpless day af-
ter day. Then was conceived the idea
of trying upon General Blair's system
the effect of TRANSMISSION of blood. The
family strongly opposed the experiment
at first, but after considerable solicitation
on the part of the attending physicians,
gave reluctant consent to the test. At
the first experiment between two and three
ounces of fresh human blood were in
iected into the patients veins, and the eff
feet was highly satisfactory. He could
move his arms, and even talk a little.
Since then twelve ounces in the aggre-
gate have been transferred, and now the
General is able to move himself 10 a
considerable extent. There is some
brain activity ana apparently the man
has taken a new lease upon life. The
family and other relatives have with
drawn all opposition to the experiments,
and are now hopeful Of complete recov-
cry They are, however, morbidly SEN
sitive about the subject, and avoid, as
far as possible, all publicity respecting
the experiments.
Two transfusions were made last week,
and five ounces of blood injected. The
i'll results which attended the first Of
these two operations, however, demon.
strated the necessity Of great care in Sc
Letting the person from which the cur
gent is to be drawn. The blood was ia
ken and injected, and caused effects
upon the General similar 10 Intoxication.
Upon investigation, the physicians dis
covered that the subject who had furnished
the blood had been on a bit Of a spree
the day before, and with the blood, had
been transferred some alcohol. 1t was a
clear case of drunk by proxy. A sec
ond TRANSMISSION was made in order to
overcome the bad effects of the former.
Another TRANSMISSION will take place this
week, to be followed by other expert
ments as the General shall seem to i'm
prove.
Since the encouraging result in this
case number Of experiments have been
made with others. The most notable
one Is the case of Edmund Pinero, Of a
a leading law firm, Pogue q Pinero.
Mr.. Pinero has been completely helpless
nine weeks with the rheumatic govt.
All of his joints had become so affected
that he was unable to move, and lay day
after day suffering untold fortunes.
TRANSMISSION was tried with him one day
last week, his partner, w. II. Pogue, a
stout, healthy gentleman, supplying the
life current to the extent Of two ounces.
He improved rapidly after the transfu.
sion, and is now able to sit up. He will
receive another contribution from his
obligingpartner some day this week.