Reinforcing The Blood

An Intereating surgleal operation, one which Is new to Springfield, was performed about two weeks ago by Dr. W. A. Smith, one of the new members of the fraternlty in Springfield, Mass.. says the Republican. The operation was the Infusión nto an exhausted system of a saline solution to increase the supply of blood. For years there have been occasional operations of transfusión of blood from the veins of one person to those of another to meet the same purpose, but the operation is so dangerous that It is rarely attempted, except in cases of the most urgent necessity. The danger comes in the Ukellhood of Dies or air getting Into the blood which is transfused, and these bubbles usually mean death. When they have run their course through the veins and rea'ch the heart, the heart needs to be kept full, and the slight reslstance of the Is Insufflcient to keep the valves working. It was for thls reason that the oíd method went out. But out of It. grew the method of infuslng a solution of aalt and water Into the veins. The blood is saline and the solution Is transformed Into blood rapidly and produces an effect which is not only stimulatlng but permanent. It was ftrst attempted In Germany a year or two ago, and has often been done in Europe, but perhaps never before in thls city. The patiënt In thls case has been suffering for a long time with a tumor In the abdomen, which has sapped her vitality till her system could not stand the cutting which was necessary. It was found advlsable to take thls method of strengthening the system, and the operition was performed at the Buscall Hospital on Mattoon strcet. The patiënt was put under the influence of anaesthetlcs and the Injection was made between the breast and the muscles of the chest. About a pint of the solution was injected. a fountaln syringe belng used. The breast absorba the fluid quickly Into the veins, and in this case withlng twelve hours all the solution had been taken up by the system. It has been quite succeuful, and the patiënt is so much stronger that It is hoped that the removal of the tumor can be attempted before a great while.