THE FATE OF SUBCUTANEOUSLY INJECTED RED BLOOD CELLS

Abstract

<h3>PART I.</h3> Modern methods of intravenous transfusion are so satisfactory that today the question of using an extravascular route arises in infants only. A study of the older writings shows that at different times and places both the subcutaneous and intraperitoneal routes were employed and in the opinions of the reporters usually with success. My interest in the subject arose from observations made on two patients who were injected subcutaneously after unsuccessful attempts at intravenous transfusion. One of the patients, whose cells were never greatly diminished, showed a decided rise in hemoglobin, and the second patient showed a marked rise in both hemoglobin and cells. Unfortunately for the experiment, however, both patients were given iron. I then purposely employed the subcutaneous rather than the intravenous route in three patients who received no drug. The blood was citrated. With the exception of Ann F., who was given blood from her mother,