The evolution of blood banking is a fascinating story, ranging from mysticism and pseudoscience to present day medical therapy. It reflects the parallel expansion of knowledge in physiology, immunology, biochemistry and genetics.

Egyptian, Greek and Roman References
There are references to the use of blood in early Egyptian, Greek and Roman sources. Drinking the blood of dying gladiators was thought to cure epilepsy. Imbibing the blood of animals, on the other hand, was a cure for rabies. Bathing in blood also had benefits, such as a cure for elephantiasis.

Almost 200 years after the birth of Christ, Galen revealed to the world his discovery that blood, not air, traveled through our veins.

For many centuries to follow, progress was slow and at times the world seemed to move backward instead of forward in its knowledge of the circulatory system and blood transfusion. Sixteen hundred years passed before the circulatory system was described and fully understood, thanks to William Harvey.

Early Transfusions -- but not blood
The potential medical and lifesaving benefits of transfusion therapy were recognized; however, blood was seldom the fluid of choice. Ale, wine, milk, nitric acid and sulfuric acid were used.

Animal Blood
In the 17th century, attention shifted to the use of animal blood for transfusion. Dogs, cows and sheep became donors for human patients who rarely survived the ordeal. During this period, we find some documentation of humans being used as donors; however, crude techniques and no knowledge of blood groups frequently caused the death of both patient and donor.

In 1760, the French Parliament and the Catholic Church issued an official statement forbidding physicians to perform transfusions. They were shortly outlawed in Italy and England as well.

James Blunbell -- early blood transfusions
The practice of blood transfusion lay dormant for 150 years. James Blunbell, an English physician is credited with re-kindling interest by successfully transfusing human blood to several women who suffered from postpartum hemorrhage. Survival was the luck of the draw because it wasn’t until a century and a half later that the importance of matching the blood types of patient and donor was recognized.

Carl Landsteiner and ABO
In 1900, Carl Landsteiner identified the ABO blood group system and, just a few years later, sodium citrate was introduced as an anticoagulant, allowing for the long-term storage of blood and giving birth to modern day blood banking and transfusion therapy. During the past century, modern technology has made blood transfusion as safe, pure, potent and effective as possible in the treatment of a myriad of medical conditions. And the future holds bright promise for all medical science, including transfusion therapy.

The one, as yet unchanging, factor throughout the centuries is the blood donor. Without people who care, blood transfusions would simply not be possible. YOU are the reason that blood transfusions are helping to save lives today and, as we enter the new millennium, you will continue to be the foundation for future medical breakthroughs.