Intravenous infusions were first given soon after Harvey’s demonstration of the circulation of the blood, in the seventeenth century. At that time infections, the opposition of the church, and severe reactions discouraged their continued use. In 1891, Matas reported the use of 250 to 1500 cc. normal saline intravenous infusions in cases of severe shock and hemorrhage. In 1905, Mummery recommended intravenous saline with small amounts of adrenalin in surgical shock, with the idea of raising the blood pressure by diluting and increasing the quantity of circulating fluid. Matas, in 1924, advised continuous dextrose intravenous infusions in certain surgical conditions for the nutritive value of the dextrose and. because of the danger of salt retention with saline. Since the 1920’s the use of intravenous salt and sugar solutions has become more and more common. At the Robert Packer Hospital, shortly before the World War, large quantities of intravenous fluids were given as diluents for salvarsan. In 1918, two patients in adjacent beds each received more than 70 injections. In 1930, the number of intravenous injections increased markedly and, during the month of March 1940, ten or eleven patients daily received one or more intravenous injections.