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Then vs. Now: The History of Blood Transfusions

The first successful transfusion likely used goose feather quills.

Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Updated on December 19, 2022

In this video, learn the important events throughout history of blood transfusions, one of the most crucial medical advancements of all time.

References

American Red Cross. (n.d.). Blood Needs and Blood Supply.

American Red Cross. (n.d.). History of Blood Transfusion.

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American Red Cross. (n.d.). Our History.

Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies. (n.d.). Highlights of transfusion medicine history.

Blundell, J. (1828). Observations of transfusion of blood. The Lancet.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). FastStats: life expectancy.

Donovan, AJ. (2004). Richard Lower, MD, physician and surgeon (1631-1891). World Journal of Surgery ;28(9):938-45.

Edelson, M. (2019). Donating blood. TeensHealth, Nemours Foundation.

Garcia, K. (2016). A brief history of blood transfusion through the years. Stanford Blood Center.

Ribatti, D. (2009). William Harvey and the discovery of the circulation of the blood. Journal of Angiogenesis Research; 1:3.

The Nobel Prize. (1930). Karl Landsteiner: biographical.

U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. (2022). Who Was Ryan White?

Welck, M, et al. (2010). James Blundell MD Edin FRCP (1790-1877): Pioneer of Blood Transfusion. Journal of Medical Biography; 18(4):194-7.

Yale, E. (2015). First Blood Transfusion: A History. JSTOR Daily.

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