Blood Transfusion Improvement

Blood Transfusion Improvement

Blood loss could lead to shock which often causes death. Blood transfusions were used (1915) but were limited as blood couldn't be stored.

1915 (Richard Lewisohn) found that adding sodium citrate stopped blood clotting (which means it could now be stored for a short time)

1916 (Francais Rous + James Turner) added citrate glucose which meant blood could now be stored for even longer

In preparation for the Battle of Cambrai (1917) Oswald Hope stored 22 units of blood