“MANY LIVES SAVED”

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 123, 18 February 1935, Page 3

“MANY LIVES SAVED”

Transfusions of Blood WELLINGTON VOLUNTEERS During the last 32 months 113 calls to patients in hospital were received and answered by members of the Wellington Blood Transfusion Society, an association of voluntary donors of blood, states the third annual report of the society. In 1932 calls on donors numbered 35 and in 1933 the number was 84. Together with the Public Hospital, nine other hospitals and institutions were served by the society, including for the first time the Children’s Hospital and the Home of Compassion, at which four and two transfusions respectively were supplied. A list in the report shows that the greatest number of transfusions were made for anaemia, followed in importance by haemorrhage, pre-operation cases and septicaemia. Six transfusions were given to cancer patients In comment on its report the society states: “It is again hoped that the information given will be of general use to the public in dissipating the many fallacies which are current, as to the operation of blood transfusion, and also of value to the medical profession in showing the extent, to which the practice has grown and the diseases to the alleviation of which it has been applied.” The report notes a letter received at the begininng of this month from Dr. A R. Thorne, superintendent, writing on behalf of Wellington Hospital. “I would like to congratulate members of your organisation on the great service rendered to patients in this institution during the past twelve months,” states the letter. “This Is a service of undoubted value, and results show that many lives have been saved and others

have had their convalescence hastened, by transfusions. Your organisation has become one of the essential services of the institution, and I trust that your members will continue to help us in our work at the Wellington Hosxiital.”