Charles Waller and Edward Doubleday-Colleagues of James Blundell and early supporters of blood transfusion.

Abstract

The obstetrician James Blundell performed the first human-to-human blood transfusion in England during the early part of the 19th century arguing that it could be used as a treatment for post-partum haemorrhage. During this period, Blundell personally acknowledged two of his medical colleagues Charles Waller and Edward Doubleday as being strong supporters of the use of blood transfusion. This paper outlines the roles that these two men played in the early history of blood transfusion.