BLOOD FOR TRANSFUSION

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1929, Page 8

BLOOD FOR TRANSFUSION

SUPPLIED BY LEGLESS MAN

TWENTY CALLS IN PAST YEAR

AUCKLAND, Nov. 20

One of the regular donors of blood for blood transfusion at the Auckland Hospital is Air Charles It. Christley, a man who has lost both his legs. Remarkable as it is that one so cruelly crippled should be able to find so unusual and important an opportunity of usefulness, it is all the more remarkable that lie happens to be one of those rare people who possess what is technically known as “universal” blood. The great majority of people belong to different groups, wiiose blood is suitable only for the corresponding groups. Air Christey is a genial giant, 50 years of age, who was brought up in the Waikato, and at an early age lie went to the hush to earn his living. For 20 years he followed the life of a bushman, . chopping wood, building tramways, clams, and all other associated work. Some years ago he suffered a severe accident, a limb falling upon him when he was working up the Wanganui River, as a result of which one log was perm nently par ilvsed. Subsequently the other leg was so severely injured in a motor accident that it had to he amputated near the thigh and two years ago the paralysed leg was also removed. He was a magnificent figure of a man, 6ft in his bare feet, and weighing 19st 81b when! in good working condition. fie did some wrestling in his day and when talking to an interviewer he drew attention t oa photograph of the two wrestlers, Pesek and Walker, demonstrating a famous hold. “I.reckon I could have broken that hold,” he said, and explained in technical language the method he would have adopted. A glance at the tremendous arms made one imagine that as lie said, “something would have to go.” When receiving treatment from Dr. Mi Isom some time ago that surgeon had his blood tested, with the result that it was found to he “universal”, and during the last 12 months Mr Chris toy has been called on 20 times to supply blood for patients who were sinking. Only four of these patients failed to rally. Usually lOoz is taken at a time, hut as large a treatment as 18oz has been taken, the total amount supplied by Mi* Christey in the year being 2230 z. After being bled he finds that although he suffers no sense of weakness he must take care against becoming faint and falling, but lie dismisses this, matter. Never yet lias lie been unable to wheel himself home to his room in Arcliliill after a transfus-