08 DADD’S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY 
In each of these four cases the reaction was steady and progres 
sive. The natural warmth of the extremities was gradually 
restored, and, in the course of ten or twelve hours, tne patient 
gresented other equally unmistakable symptoms of arsendment, 
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 less 
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 afford 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 Jost 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 
of any benefit tc the system o’ @ sick or dying horse until it shall 
become caygenized cr vitasized, or changed from venous to arte- 
rial blood, which change can not possibly takn 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 
nrocess can he conducted with the relative amount of safety at 
