The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-09-07
TRANSMISSION OF BLOOD.
Remarisnbie Case of Its successful Opera
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(From the New York Times. +,

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(From the New York Times.l
The substance of the testimony given
by medical experts Mt the inquest on
Walter Robert Williams, whose death
occurred IN June, consequent upon the
loss of four ounces OF blood during
TRANSMISSION, will be readily recalled, an
account OF the examination having been
printed In local journals, and afterwards
extensively quoted both in Great Britain
and in this country. The drift of the
testimony was to the effect that the
operation of TRANSMISSION is an exceeding
ly hazardous one, and that il should be
resorted to only in extreme cases. There
are number of risks involved in il.
III the blood becomes chilled during
transmission, if the slightest clot reaches
the receivers vein, or if a particle of air
enters the opened vein of either party
instant death results. Accordingly. the
operation is always undertaken reluc-
family, and its details and results are of
paramount professional interest. 1t was
recently performed successfully in Will
lamsburgh, under conditions that are
considered especially unfavorable. The
patient was John Adam Kohlepp, of
Ten Eyck street. For four years he was
sufferer from consumption, and for
six weeks preceding the operation he
had not left his bed, and had become
emaciated and listless violent tuber-
culosis had affected him his left lung
was nearly eaten away; and even under
strong doses of morphine sleep was al
most impossible TO him. DIR. Charles
j. Stabl, who attended him, was per-
suaded, for reasons that will be stated.
to perform the operation of TRANSMISSION
upon HIM. o. A volunteer to give the blood
Eas found In the person of Louis Burk-
hardt, OF Stage street-a strong, healthy
man. On the afternoon of July II the
parties met at Kohlepp's bedside, and,
the instruments having been prepared
and placed in warm water, Burkhardt's
arm was bandaged to swell the blood
vessels, and vein pricked with lance
Four ounces of blood were drawn and
emptied into small porcelain dish.
where they were rapidly beaten with a
wlsp prepared for the purpose. to which
the fibrine chung, leaving the strength
ening properties OF the blood behind.
This residue was in turn poured into
glass vial attached to one extremity of
rubber tube, the other extremity of
which extended about three-quarters of
an inch into an air-trap in the form OF a
glass globe set upright upon stand.
From the further side OF the Ease of the
globe another rubber tube, whose con-
Meeting extremity is Mt lower elevation
than that of the first tube, is depended,
which terminates in a hollow needle
similar 10 that used IN hypodermic in
jections. The instrument is known as
Whitehouse's. 1t is kept constantly in
warm water during the operation. The
blood passed through the instrument
rapidly and was injected into the pa
tents Jledian basilic veins, at the hol-
low OF the elbow. Before the operation
began Kohlepp's pulse was feeble and
accelerated, but as soon as the blood en-
tered his system the pulse beat slower
and fuller, and gentle perspiration APP
peared upon his body. Then his face
became turgid, and congestive symp-
toms appeared, causing temporary dis
continuance of the operation. After
about twenty minutes, the congestive
trouble having subsidized, three ounces
more of blood were transfused. At this
point Burkhardt complained of weak
ness and thirst, but his system was not
impaired, having previously undergone
frequent venesection in Germany. He
remained at home for day to escape
any possible i'll effects from the loss.
AS soon as he quit the room Kohlepp
fell asleep, not awakening for seven
hours ~ he then ate with apparent relish,
thing be had not done for months, and
again fell asleep. On the day following
he dressed himself, but did not venture
beyond his room; four days later he
walked upon the street without assist
ance. On July 26 a second operation
was performed, in which four ounces of
blood were transfused. Since then he
has been convalescent night sweats
have entirely lett him; he breathes
easily; the short, hacking cough that
attends the disease is no longer trouble
some, and for week past he has done
several hours light work daily. On Sun
day last he walked two and half miles.
The operation will be repeated within
month in the hope of arresting the dis
ease by cicatrization, it being consid-
cred impossible to eradicate it.