112 Scientific Proceedings (126) 



1. They enter the blood stream very rapidly and are therefore 

 presumably in a functioning condition. 



2. The increase in the blood values of our animals persisted 

 for many days. 



3. After severe hemorrhage, the animals improved visibly fol- 

 lowing the transfusion. 



4. No hemoglobinuria could be demonstrated at any time. 



5. Autotransfusion and retransfusion have been used success- 

 fully in man. 



6. Clinical experiences with cases of internal hemorrhage as 

 compared with external hemorrhage tends to show that the blood 

 is re-absorbed in a functioning condition. 



As a result of our investigations we can draw the following 

 conclusions : 



1. The intraperitoneal transfusion of freshly citrated blood in 

 rabbits is a safe procedure, simple to apply and efficient. 



2. Absorption of blood from the peritoneal cavity of rabbits 

 takes place very rapidly. 



3. The intraperitoneal transfusion in anemic and normal ani- 

 mals apparently causes a sharp rise of blood values during the 

 absorptive period (3-4 hours) which is only temporary. This is 

 followed by a more permanent increase in the blood picture. 



4. Studies at the autopsy table together with the blood counts 

 would apparently indicate that the initial rise is due to an actual 

 absorption of red blood cells from the peritoneal cavity and not 

 merely to a concentration of the blood volume. 



5. Pigeons' cells injected subcutaneously in rabbits cannot be 

 found in the general circulation. The same blood injected intra- 

 peritoneally is absorbed very rapidly. 



6. Rabbits' blood probably contains neither hemolysins or ag- 

 glutinin. 



7. The intraperitoneal transfusion of freshly citrated blood 

 acts like a true transfusion and not like the absorption of nutrient 

 material. 



It is proposed as a therapeutic method of possible merit. 



