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A heroic blood transfusion during the First World War (January 1915)
P Charlier1, L Roessel2, G Pelée de Saint-Maurice3
1Laboratory Anthropology, Archaeology, Biology (LAAB), UFR of Health Sciences - Simone-Veil, UVSQ, 2, avenue de la source de la Bièvre, 78180 Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France; Department of Epidemiology and Health Sciences, University Hospital Raymond-Poincaré (AP-HP), 104, boulevard Raymond-Poincaré, 92380 Garches, France; École du Val-de-Grâce, place Alphonse-Laveran, 75005 Paris, France.
This study details a rare 1915 father-to-son blood transfusion during WWI, using an adapted Alexis Carrel method. The preserved cannula reveals early surgical innovation before modern blood banking.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Surgical Innovation
- Military Medicine
Background:
- The First World War spurred rapid advancements in battlefield medicine.
- Early blood transfusion techniques were experimental and lacked standardization.
- The Alexis Carrel method represented a significant development in vascular surgery.
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