Transfusion

Archived within the Oregon Health and Science University Historical Collection, is a small aluminum box labeled 77-209.3.17 (c. 1910 - 1920). It contains components used for direct blood transfusions: needles, lengths of tubes, doubled headed syringe with valves and levers. All of these separate parts fit into specific holders within the box. If a piece was missing it would be obvious. When assembled, medical professionals likely used this transfusion kit and relied on a number of donors to save patients. As an artist I have been given the opportunity to examine and reinterpret this artifact.

This kit is about a century old and was used for direct blood transfusion, this involves blood flowing directly from an artery of the donor into the patient's veins and would have required the donor to lay close to the patient during the process. Now there are systems to donate, store and preserve blood for later use. Early transfusions used whole blood, but modern medical practice commonly uses only components of the blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, clotting factors, and platelets. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood.

With this project I focused on two components in regards to blood transfusion: the point of exit and entry used to withdraw and receive blood - a temporary portal providing transfer between our normally closed circulatory systems and the act of donating blood - a very integral part in saving lives.

I closely associate my blood and its course with deep felt emotions. I wonder, if during a direct transfusion the recipient would experience the same feelings.

My many thanks to the American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region and to the donors (who offered their arms twice in one day). The time I spent on site taking photos of the donor's arms was very enriching.

Notes:

Blood donation is an integral part of the health and well being of the community. The need is constant, and there is no substitute for volunteer blood donations.

from American Red Cross, redcrossblood.org

Every 2 seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion. And, each donation can help save up to three lives. Read below to learn more about donating.

from American Red Cross, redcrossblood.org

Type O negative blood is always in high demand, because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type.

from American Red Cross, redcrossblood.org

Primitive people understood that a great loss of blood from an injury results in death. Therefore, blood became closely connected with life.

from David A. Gershaw, Ph.D, virgil.azwestern.edu

1492 - the first blood transfusion was recorded. Pope Innocent VIII was dying. Although blood transfusions had only been experimented on with animals, three youths donated their blood to the Pope. Unfortunately, the three youths and the Pope died. (Although the story is described as a transfusion, it is most likely that the Pope drank the blood.)

from David A. Gershaw, Ph.D virgil.azwestern.edu

1628 - British physician William Harvey discovers the circulation of blood. The first known blood transfusion is attempted soon afterward.from American Red Cross, redcrossblood.org

1900 -  Dr. Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian, discovered different types of human blood – A, B, AB and O. This made practitioners realize that the donor's blood type had to be matched to that of the recipient to insure a safe transfusion.

from David A. Gershaw, Ph.D, virgil.azwestern.edu

An early development leading to the establishment of blood banks occurred in 1915, when Richard Lewison of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City initiated the use of sodium citrate as an anticoagulant.

from Wikipedia, wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_bank