James Blundell (physician)
Encyclopedia
James Blundell English
obstetrician who performed the first successful transfusion
of blood to a patient for treatment of a haemorrhage.
James began his education under Rev. Thomas Thomason, and his uncle John Haighton. He developed an interest in the medical field, and studied at Guy's Hospital in London. Like his uncle, who had developed several instruments still used today for the delivery of babies, James specialised in the field of obstetrics. Later he graduated from the University of Edinburgh with his MD in 1813. A year later He began his career in London by lecturing on midwifery and physiology, and by 1818 he succeeded his uncle and became the lecturer on both subjects at Guy's Hospital where his classes on obstetricy and the diseases of women were reported to be the largest in London.
, and tried to concoct a way to remedy to this. However, he was also familiar with the work of John Leacock (sometimes referred to as James Leacock) who said that the transfer of blood
from one species
would be harmful to another. He conducted a series of experiments using animals, and observed that as long as the blood was transfused quickly, a transfusion would be successful with a syringe
even after it had been collected in a container. He also discovered the importance of letting all the air out of a syringe prior to the transfusion.
Although there is some conflict between whether his first successful transfusion occurred in 1818 or 1829, it seems more likely that in 1829 he performed the first successful human to human transfusion. Regardless of the date, it is agreed upon that Dr. Blundell extracted four ounces of blood from the arm of the patient's husband using a syringe, and successfully transfused it into the patient. Over the course of five years, he conducted ten documented blood tranfusions, five of which were beneficial to the patients, and published these results. During his life he also devised many instruments for the transfusion of blood, many of which are still in use today.
He became the author of Researches Physiological and Pathological in 1824 and wrote two papers on abdominal surgery and blood transfusion, both edited by S. Ashwell. Later publications include Principles and Practice of Obstetricy in 1834 and Observations on some of the More Important Diseases of Women in 1837. In using the uterine sound for diagnostic purposes, he was considered more advanced than other obstetricians of the day.
Dr. Blundell never married, but lived with his grand niece Mary Ann Harriet Noyes. From the 1871 British Census, we know he was living at 80 Piccadilly
in London
, but he also had a home in Westminster
at No. 1 Great George Street.
Dr. Blundell retired from practice in 1847. In his final years, it is said that he never rose before noon, saw patients in the afternoon, dined and then saw more patients after 8 or 9 pm. He always carried books with him, and was able to read them in his carriage by the installation of a special light.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
obstetrician who performed the first successful transfusion
Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood...
of blood to a patient for treatment of a haemorrhage.
Early years
James Blundell was born in London. His father's name was Major Blundell and mother was Sarah Ann Haighton. Major owned a company called Major Blundell and Co. Haberdashers and Drapers in London.James began his education under Rev. Thomas Thomason, and his uncle John Haighton. He developed an interest in the medical field, and studied at Guy's Hospital in London. Like his uncle, who had developed several instruments still used today for the delivery of babies, James specialised in the field of obstetrics. Later he graduated from the University of Edinburgh with his MD in 1813. A year later He began his career in London by lecturing on midwifery and physiology, and by 1818 he succeeded his uncle and became the lecturer on both subjects at Guy's Hospital where his classes on obstetricy and the diseases of women were reported to be the largest in London.
Blood transfusion work
In 1818, Blundell determined that a blood transfusion would be appropriate to treat a severe postpartum hemorrhage. He had seen many of his patients dying in childbirthChildbirth
Childbirth is the culmination of a human pregnancy or gestation period with the birth of one or more newborn infants from a woman's uterus...
, and tried to concoct a way to remedy to this. However, he was also familiar with the work of John Leacock (sometimes referred to as James Leacock) who said that the transfer of blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
from one species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
would be harmful to another. He conducted a series of experiments using animals, and observed that as long as the blood was transfused quickly, a transfusion would be successful with a syringe
Syringe
A syringe is a simple pump consisting of a plunger that fits tightly in a tube. The plunger can be pulled and pushed along inside a cylindrical tube , allowing the syringe to take in and expel a liquid or gas through an orifice at the open end of the tube...
even after it had been collected in a container. He also discovered the importance of letting all the air out of a syringe prior to the transfusion.
Although there is some conflict between whether his first successful transfusion occurred in 1818 or 1829, it seems more likely that in 1829 he performed the first successful human to human transfusion. Regardless of the date, it is agreed upon that Dr. Blundell extracted four ounces of blood from the arm of the patient's husband using a syringe, and successfully transfused it into the patient. Over the course of five years, he conducted ten documented blood tranfusions, five of which were beneficial to the patients, and published these results. During his life he also devised many instruments for the transfusion of blood, many of which are still in use today.
He became the author of Researches Physiological and Pathological in 1824 and wrote two papers on abdominal surgery and blood transfusion, both edited by S. Ashwell. Later publications include Principles and Practice of Obstetricy in 1834 and Observations on some of the More Important Diseases of Women in 1837. In using the uterine sound for diagnostic purposes, he was considered more advanced than other obstetricians of the day.
Later life
He left Guy's in 1834 following a dispute with the hospital treasurer. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1838, and later published Hexametrical Experiments, or, A version of four of Virgil's pastorals... with hints to explain the method of reading, and a slight essay on the laws of metre that year.Dr. Blundell never married, but lived with his grand niece Mary Ann Harriet Noyes. From the 1871 British Census, we know he was living at 80 Piccadilly
Piccadilly
Piccadilly is a major street in central London, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east. It is completely within the city of Westminster. The street is part of the A4 road, London's second most important western artery. St...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, but he also had a home in Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
at No. 1 Great George Street.
Dr. Blundell retired from practice in 1847. In his final years, it is said that he never rose before noon, saw patients in the afternoon, dined and then saw more patients after 8 or 9 pm. He always carried books with him, and was able to read them in his carriage by the installation of a special light.