GOLD GUINEAS FOR FRESH BLOOD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 15

GOLD GUINEAS FOR FRESH BLOOD.

INVALID'S CURIOUS OFFER. SINGULAR STORY TOLD TO APPLICANTS.

"Would any heafthy man living In London, willing to help a patient suffering from severe anaemia by giving some blood, communicate with Mr X.? The process hurls no more than a prick of the finger; the amount taken will not cause discomfort or any ill effect. A gift of flve guineas Is offered for each transfusion." The advertisement appeared in a morning paper, the address given being that of a fashionable nursing home in the Harlcy Street quarter. Inquiries show that the case of Mr X. has some extraordinary features. Men of all ages and classes and of various nationalities were calling at the nursing home all day to offer thlr blood In return for flve guineas.

' llr X.—who was not m bed, but seated in a chair—proved to be a dark-complexioned man apparently between thirty-five and forty years of age, speaking with an American accent and seeming delicate but not 111. lie told the applicants a singular story. For some years past, according to this statement, he had only been kept alive by large transfusions of blood from healthy men who volunteered their services.

Over a gallon of new blood was , required by Mr X. each year, and this waa furnished by eight or ten men only, one pint being taken from each man In order to ensure the light characteristics. A "donor" of blood would lie quite well and strong again In two days. After Mr and Mrs X. had explained the situation and put certain questions, selected volunteers were asked to call again for the medical blood test.