825.001

Ferguson blood transfusion set in mahogany case

Inscription

[ROYAL COAT OF ARMS]/ FERGUSON/ 21 GILTSPUR ST./ LONDON

Production date

1850

Production organisations

FERGUSON

Labels

James Blundell is widely regarded as the first recorded person to carry out a successful human to human blood transfusion in 1818. He developed a blood transfusion "syringe" used directly in person to person transfusions, mostly for women haemorrhaging after childbirth.

The object shown here is a portable transfusion set manufactured by Daniel Ferguson, a surgical instrument maker. He appears in the London Street directory of 1843 as residing at 21 Giltspur street London, the same address which appears on the brass plate on the syringe.

The transfusion set appears to work on the same principle as that used by Blundell in 1818. One of the needles was inserted into the vein of the donor and one into the recipient. The valves were adjusted so the blood from the donor ran into the funnel, assisted by pulling the attached syringe. When enough blood had been drawn the valve on the donor cannula was closed, the one on the recipient cannula opened and the syringe used to push the blood into the recipient.
An image of a similar type of apparatus used in the 1880s can be seen here:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-blood-transfusion-arm-to-arm-antique-illustration-1889-30985154.html