Blundell's Blood Transfusion Apparatus, London, England,1801-1900

Made:
1801-1900 in London
maker:
Savigny and Company
and
James Blundell
Blundell (?) blood transfusion apparatus in mahogany case Blundell (?) blood transfusion apparatus in mahogany case Blundell (?) blood transfusion apparatus in mahogany case

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Blundell (?) blood transfusion apparatus in mahogany case
Science Museum Group
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Blundell (?) blood transfusion apparatus in mahogany case
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Blundell (?) blood transfusion apparatus in mahogany case
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Blundell (?) blood transfusion apparatus in mahogany case, by Savigny and Co., London 19th century.

James Blundell (1790-1878) was a British obstetrician. He performed the first recorded successful human-to-human blood transfusion in 1818, using the patient’s husband as the donor. Blundell took blood from his arm and used a syringe to transfuse it to the wife. He performed a further ten transfusions between 1825 and 1830 and published details of them. Half were successful. Blundell limited the use of his transfusion apparatus to women on the verge of death due to uterine haemorrhage, the heavy bleeding that can result from a difficult labour.

Blundell believed blood had a nutritive property and was infused with vitalism – a living force. One major reason for many unsuccessful early transfusions was blood compatibility not being understood. This problem was solved in 1900 when Karl Landsteiner (1868-1943) discovered blood groups. However, a pregnant woman’s immune system is naturally lowered. This means blood compatibility is not as much of a complication. Blundell’s blood transfusion apparatus was manufactured by Savigny and Company in London.

Details

Category:
Therapeutics
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A43853
Materials:
case, mahogany and case, velvet, red
Measurements:
overall: 78 mm x 248 mm x 144 mm, 1.2kg
type:
blood transfusion apparatus
credit:
Spencer, H.R.

Parts

Two lancets, made by Savigny and Co.

Two lancets, made by Savigny and Co.

Two lancets, made by Savigny and Co., London, England, 1850-1900

Materials:
whole, tortoiseshell and whole, steel
Object Number:
A43853 Pt4
type:
lancets
Glass funnels (2) bound with brass

Glass funnels (2) bound with brass

Glass funnels (2) bound with brass, made by Savigny and Co., 1850-1900

Materials:
whole, glass and whole, brass
Object Number:
A43853 Pt5
type:
funnels
Rods (2, cuckoos)

Rods (2, cuckoos)

Rods (2, cuckoos ?)

Materials:
whole, brass
Object Number:
A43853 Pt6
type:
rods
Forceps (cuckoo)

Forceps (cuckoo)

Forceps (cuckoo)

Materials:
whole, steel
Object Number:
A43853 Pt7
type:
forceps
Blundell's blood transfusion apparatus, 19th century.

Blundell's blood transfusion apparatus, 19th century.

Mahogany case, felt lined, for Blundell (?) blood transfusion apparatus, by Savigny and Co., London 19th century.

Measurements:
overall: 78 mm x 248 mm x 144 mm, .84 kg
Materials:
case, mahogany and case, velvet, red
Object Number:
A43853 Pt8
type:
instrument cases