Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 1468

JAMES BLUNDELL (1790-1878) The principles and practice of obstetricy. Stereotyped and published by Duff Green 1834 520 pp., illus. 21.2 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 1467

In addition to being one of the leading obstetricians of his day, Blundell is remembered for his contributions to the advancement of abdominal surgery and also for his pioneering efforts in introducing blood transfusion into clinical practice. As a result of his research, he was able to correct intraperitoneal rupture of the bladder, relieve intestinal intussusception, divide the Fallopian tubes to prevent further pregnancy, and alleviate severe dysmenorrhea by ovariotomy. After experimenting on dogs, he performed a successful human transfusion with a syringe in 1818. Although some of his colleagues received his findings with enthusiasm, blood transfusion did not come into wide use until the twentieth century with the advent of anticoagulants and the discovery of blood groups. This first American edition of Blundell's work was published the same year as the London edition.

Cited references: Wellcome II, p. 184 (London ed.)