⏰ when
When Was the First Blood Transfusion Performed?
medicinehistory
Quick Answer
The first documented human blood transfusion was performed by Jean-Baptiste Denys in 1667.
The Full Story
On 15 June 1667, French physician Jean-Baptiste Denys transfused blood from a lamb into a 15-year-old boy, who survived. However, later attempts using animal blood caused fatal reactions, and transfusions were banned in France and England. Safe human-to-human transfusions became possible after Karl Landsteiner discovered blood groups (A, B, AB, O) in 1901 — earning the 1930 Nobel Prize. Today about 118.5 million units of blood are donated worldwide each year.
Key Facts
1.Landsteiner's ABO blood group system explained why some transfusions failed catastrophically.
2.The Rh factor was identified in 1940, further improving transfusion safety.
3.A single donation can save up to three lives when separated into components.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"From Lamb's Blood to Life-Saving Science — The History of Transfusion"