BLOOD TRANSFUSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25562, 15 June 1944, Page 6

BLOOD TRANSFUSION

NEED FOR NEW DONORS ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY The valuable service given by members of the Dunedin Voluntary Blood Transfusion Society and the urgent need for new blood donors were stressed at the annual meeting of the society last night by the chairman, Dr Gerald Fitzgerald. The number of donors had dropped by about 158, he said, and an endeavour would shortly be made to increase the membership. The society had grown into a very active body, and was giving magnificent service. The report, the adoption of which was moved by the chairman, stated that the membership totalled 638. During the year 508 donations of blood had been given, compared with 432 in 1942. In addition 47 donors supplied blood for use in the preparation of serum.' Since the society was established 10 years ago 2630 donations had been given by members. Seconding the adoption of the report, the chairman of the Hospital Board. Dr D. G. McMillan, conveyed the thanks of the board for the wonderful work being done by the society. Election of Office-bearers The following office-bearers were elected:—Chairman, the chairman of the staff, Dr Gerald Fitzgerald; committee —the chairman of the B.M.A. (Dr Clarke Hanan), the medical superintendent (Dr J. Thomson), the doctor in charge of the blood bank (Dr Murray McGeorge), the resident surgical officer (Dr S. Barclay), the resident medical officer (Dr F. B. Woodhouse). donors’ representatives, Mesdames M. Osborn and C. N. Lamb.

Medals and bars gained in 1943 were presented' by Mrs M. Osborn to the following:—

Medals (Five Transfusions). —Mesdames M. A. Armour, V. A. Butler, M-. Drew, E. P. Griffin, A. C. Kibblewhite, A. Martin, M. E. M. McTigue, K. M. Ogg, E. B. Paterson, E. Rankin, M. Weir, and M. E. Wimpenny, Misses S. K. Avent, J. Black, J. A. Caddie, P. E. Duncan, A. Jacobson, G. Kennedy, and E. H. Pryde, Messrs J. O. Armour, H. Beadle, W. Burridge, R. V. Collier, C. F. Crichton, W. E. Dawkins, and F. Toombs.

First Bar (Ten Transfusions). —Mrs M. B. Rees and Mr M. F. Ford; Second Bar (Fifteen Transfusions). —Messrs G. A. Bertenshaw, H. Jackson. and J. Penson.

Third Bar (Twenty Transfusions).— Messrs W. J. Creighton and H. Jackson. > „ Fourth Bar (Twenty-five Transfusions).—Mr J. J., A. Donaldson. Seventh Bar (Forty Transfusions).— Mrs M. Osborn. Treatment of Wounded Soldiers

An interesting talk on “ Blood Transfusion. in the Forward Areas,” was given by Lieutenant-colonel S. L. Wilson, D. 5.0., who outlined the organisation in the Middle East by which blood transfusions were administered ,to wounded men. In 1940 blood services in the field were almost non-existent, but early in 1941 the Australians organised a field transfusion unit. Lieutenant-colonel Wilson then outlined the advances made, and said that in Cairo iarge quantities of blood were drawn every week and flown to the advance blood banks at the front. These banks were large trucks with frigidaires in which 200 pints could be held. From the banks the blood was transferred to field transfusion units.. The speaker concluded by outlining the activities of the New Zealand unit, and spoke of the great benefit transfusions were to the wounded.