"CANNED BLOOD."

Taihape Daily Times, 28 April 1919, Page 3

"CANNED BLOOD."

L'se of "canned blood," one of the remarkable developments of war surgery, was described by the SurgeonGeneral's office for the benefit of the families of hundreds of soldiers whose lives were saved by blood transfusion (says the "New York Tribune"). One of the heaviest causes of death among wounded soldiers is hemorrhage. Immediately after the United Stales entered the war. the medical department began organising to reduce the number of fatalities from this cause, and large numbers of nredical men were put in training. It was early .decided that methods to be used should

be as simple as possible, because of limited facilities for work at the front. Development of the use of "canned blood" was a direct result of the war conditions. During a heavy attack it i was impossible to arrange for transfusions direct from persons, so the fluid was drawn previously, , stored in sterile flasks, then used in emergency cases. When the wounded man could stand it, a blood substitute was injected which sustained life until he could be removed to a hospital where more direct transfusion could be employed. "By these methods many men were saved who in previous wars would have lived but a few hours," the department's statement asserts.