SUCCESSFUL CASE OF BLOOD TRANSFUSION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6785, 16 October 1920, Page 3

SUCCESSFUL CASE OF BLOOD TRANSFUSION.

j A remarkable oxamplo of the skilful application of modern surgery and the transfusion of blood from a perfectly healthy person in order to save the life of a patient who had just, undergone a | most serious operation has been brought to our notice (says the Free Press). The sister of a Balclutha gentleman had been a sufferer for no less u period than eight, and a-lialf years from some spinal complaint, which had rendered her more or less bed-ridden all that time. She had been attended by ten different doctor nt var.ious times, but none could hold out hope of ultimate cure ; the most they could attempt was to relieve her sufferings. Latterly the young lady had become worse, and Major (Dr) White, a son of Professor David White, of Duuedin, was called in. Major White had a very extensive medical experience abroad during the war, especially in specialist eases, and he diognosed the trouble in this case as a tumour on the spine, and recommended an operation for its removal. The relative! of the young lady were summoned to Dunedin, and on Monday the operation was performed by Major White in a private hospital. . He was assisted by Dr Barnett and other lights of the medical profession in Dunedin, there being half a dozen doctors present altogether. The operation was entirely successful, the tumour being located and removed. For two and a-half hours the young lady was on the operating table, and at the, close was naturally in a very weak state, and it was then that a further example of the wonders of up-to-date surgery was brought into play. Fresh blood was required to revive- the patient's failing pulse and the brother from Balclutha stepped into the breach and offered to submit to the operation known as transfusion of blood. Fully a pint was taken from him and transmitted into the veins of his sifter, who happily passed a good night, and next day actually had colour in her cheeks, showing that the fresh blood had reinvigorated her. In fact, Dr White .stated that it was this that had saved her life. His skill wih the knife could remove the cause of her illness, but could not supply the revitalising fluid necessary to sustain life, without the aid of a'third party, prepared to make the necessary sacrifice. At latest accounts the young lady was continuing to progress, and the doctor has great hopes of being able to get her on her feet again. Our fellow citizen is also well, although somewhat weak from the loss of blood. Dr White, we understand, intends to practice in Dunedin in company with an established specialist there, and the medical profession predict for him a great future.