On Re-Infusion of Blood in Primary and Other Amputations

ion from the amount of blood in an animal's body did not permanently alter the blood pressure. If the experiment were done slowly, the blood pressure had in a short time regained the normal. If it were done hurriedly, there was a danger of extravasation and an unsuccessful result. This suggested the question whether the blood used for transfusion in the case of primary amputation might not have been got in another way, by confining it in the limbs. If, for example, there were a pound of blood in each limb, it might be driven from there when the operation was over by means of Esmarch's bandages. The same effect might be got as was by the injection of blood into the vein. Prof. Annandale, as one who had worked much at transfusion, considered Dr Duncan's paper of very great value. When Eoussel brought out his method, he got his instrument, but found it much too complicated, and though he succeeded in two cases, in others he failed. Dr Duncan's method had the merit of simplicity. The operative details only required a little attention, and were most effective. A very important point was the using of the patient's own blood. Some of the saddest cases they had to deal with were those primary cases, in which very little blood was left in the body, and where applying bandages to the arms or leg was of little