408 



DADD'S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



In each of these four cases the reaction was steady and progrea 

 give. The natural warmth of the extremities was gradually 

 restored, and, in the course of ten or twelve hours, the patient 

 Resented other equally unmistakable symptoms of amendment, 

 such as returning appetite, more quiet and steady respiration, 

 cheerfulness of countenance, and a willingness to move about. 

 From this point there was a gradual improvement, and. in a short 

 time, they were pronounced cured. 



I have been induced to submit these few remarks, much lest 

 with a view to record any little success I may have had in per- 

 forming the operation myself, than with a hope that others, far 

 more capable, will take up the matter, and test it thoroughly ; for, 

 whatever obstacles and objections there may be to its performance 

 in the human subject, there are none to prevent its becoming a 

 most valuable agent in veterinary science." 



Soon after the discovery of the circulation of the blood by 

 Harvey, transfusion was attempted on animals, and afterward 

 on man. In some cases the experiment was successful, while 

 others failed to airord relief; in fact, a majority of the cases ter- 

 minated unfavorably ; and of late years«transfusion has been aban- 

 doned, and regarded as " useless and even dangerous." We can 

 conceive, however, of cases which might occur — when, for exam- 

 ple, a horse has lost a large quantity of blood accidentally — to 

 warrant us in resorting to transfusion ; and if any of our veter- 

 inary friends are disposed to make experiments of this kind, we 

 urge them to do so, notwithstanding the opinion of the Parlia- 

 ment of France against it, and that of some scientific men who 

 have pronounced it " useless and dangerous." 



One among the many reasons which may be urged against 

 transfusion is the fact that venous blood is a non-supporter of 

 vitality. It is saturated with the excrementitious material ab- 

 sorbed from the intestinal canal, fibrous membranes, and cellular 

 tissues, and a vast amount of morbific matter is mixed with the 

 venous blood in the course of its circulation, so that it can not be 

 yf any benefit to the system o J a sick or dying horse until it shall 

 become oxygenized or Vitalized, or changed from venous to arte- 

 rial blood, which change can not possibly take place until this 

 fluid has reached the air-cells of the lungs. It would appear, 

 therefore, that the transfusion of vitalized arterial blood, if the 

 process can be conducted with the relative amount of safety at- 



