Her Own Blood As Transfusion

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 43, 21 February 1938, Page 11

Her Own Blood As Transfusion

A woman who was revived after apparent death and given a transfusion of her own blood was later stated to be almost well enough to leave Croydon General Hospital, where the operation was performed. The woman, the wife of a civil servant, was brought to the hospital, where it was found she was suffering from internal haemorrhage. When the operation was begun by Dr. C. J. C. Siggers it was found thßt the woman had stopped breathing and there was no evidence of any pulse. Artificial respiration was applied and injections given, after which an incision was made for massage of the heart by hand. After a few minutes signs of life became apparent. Heart Sewn Up “We continued with the operation,” said Dr. Siggers, ‘ ‘and found that about three pints of her blood—the human body contains only five pints—had drained into her abdomen. A few ounces more and she could not havo lived. “We collected most of the blood and strained it through sterilised muslin, giving her a transfusion of her own blood.”

The incision over the heart was sewn, and later the operation was completed.