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The Bibliography at the end of the book makes no pretence of being absolutely complete. It is, however, more extensive than any that has yet been printed, and I believe that it contains references to nearly all the contributions of present importance published up to the date of going to press. Numbers referring to the Bibliography have been inserted in the text only where no name is given to the authority quoted.

Geoffrey Keynes.

86, Harley Street, W.1.

February 1922.

BLOOD TRANSFUSION

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From the earliest times the vital importance of blood to the human system has been fully appreciated. It has been supposed to carry in it some of the virtues, such as the youth and health, of its possessor, and it has therefore been commonly regarded as a sacrifice acceptable to the gods. References to blood in the Old Testament, in classical authors, and, it is stated, in the writings of the ancient Egyptians, refer rather to these mystical attributes than to any definite transference of it from the veins of one animal to those of another. One of the earliest references to actual transfusion of blood that has been noticed is to be found in a work by Libavius of Halle, published in 1615. The passage has been translated as follows: