The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-29
General BIair's Cause.-The Transfusfon
OF Blood.

OF Blood.
From some Of our St. Louis contempora-
ries we learn that General Frank Blair has
twice undergone the operation for the trans
fusion of blood, that the operation was to be
performed third time, and that it had had
the happiest effect on the Generals condition
1t is the melancholy experience of that por-
ton Of the public which has given the subject
any attention that reports of this nature are
commonly followed almost Immediately by re-
ports Of the patients death; for the benefits
Of the operation Of TRANSMISSION are in all
cases Of organic disease as evanescent as
their promise is brilliant; and this result is so
clearly logical that for all such cases the oper-
alton should be looked upon as inexcusabe.
BY this operation blood is transtused from
the vessels Of healthy subject to the vessels Of
the patient, and the theory of the operation is
plainly enough that in the given case of
disease it is the blood Of the patient that is at
fault; and SO exclusively his blood that If a
healthier blood can be substituted his condi-
ton will be ameliorated, il his disease is not
cured In all cases Of organic disease this
while theoretically it is rabid nonsense. If
the patient has lost blood by a wound the
supply by TRANSMISSION may save life. If he
il reduced by an anemic or spannmic con-
dition the supply may be temporarily adyan-
tageous, but the assumptions Of the operation
do not apply in other cases, certainly not in
those Of prolonged disease. General Blair
is paraIyzed. Either the disease is in his
blood or it is not. II it is not, then there is
diseased condition Of TIE brain; the ma
chincry OF the vital operations is disordered.
If the machinery is out Of order fresh blood
will not change it and will only aggravate the
trouble by stimulating a crippled organ to
activity for which it is unfit and 50 viii
hasten the fatal result Bat If the disease is in
the blood-as TRANSMISSION seems to assume
what then? How long will two, iour or six
ounces OF new blood last man Two, four
or six hours may be, and then shall there be
a new transfusicn? And if there Is not
new TRANSMISSION will not the original inca
pacity Of the system to make good blood re-
cur and reduce tho man to the state from
which lie was raised by the stimulus of the
small dose Of healthy vital fluid? Will he not
even fall below that condition by reaction from
his Temporary intox.cation?
The SWIMMING SEAsoS.-The performances
Of the English swimmer. John Batista John
son, last summer, and los race with Trautz,
gave an impetus to swimming which prom
ises to be continued this season. Mr.. John
son returns to Europe in June, and lie has
already deposited one hundred dollars for
q match with Harry CUR or any ether
swimmer in the United States fer any sum
from one thousand to five thousand dollars
side previous to his departure. The distance,
choice Of water and all details lie leaves to his
competitor. Johnsons former attempt to
swim across the English Channel failed be-
cause the medical men and judges ~ the
attending boat insisted upon taking him from
the water after he had swum twelve miles, in
The apprehension that the cold would over
come him. lie intends, on bis return to
England, 70 attempt the feat again, wearing a
skintipht dress If oiled silk lined with fine
buckslun, to keep ont the cold Cur pro-
fessed To be anxious for match lat summer /;
hence he will PROBABLY accept 'hc cnallenge.
IKE CoarMrssIoNEas oF EaHGRAToS relax
nothing Of their efforts 70 obtain an increase
\ X the tax upon cnigrants entering this port.
4 Iu view q the injury which this imposition
\ Of excessive head money threatens - infict
on tie commerce 81 New York BY turning
away The tide Of emigration VIE hope the
Y Albany Legislators will refuse q grant tie
unreasonable demand made BY the Commits
siouers II might be we'll e appoint q coD-
mission 70 inquire into The workings Of the
present Commission While claiming 20 DO
rcforncrs it Is strange that The expense Of
carrying on The work 81 the Emigration Com
mission should cost two dollars ana sixty
cents III 1875, WHOM, under tho oii Commits
sion, tbe sane WORK was done ID 1864, during
war times aud with war prices, for one dollar
per head.