[The history of blood transfusions]

Numerous lives are being saved each passing day via blood transfusions. Merely a century ago, blood transfusions were considered dangerous. Yet, for physicians of the 21st century, the absence of blood transfusions is unimaginable. The history of blood transfusion travels through states, religions and discoverers--from a pope to a French charlatan and from an English doctor to an Austrian converted Jewish physician. This article attempts to shade light upon some of the central events concerning the history of blood transfusions.