The transfusion time line highlights many of discoveries, inventions, observations, and practise, which, since ancient times, have led to remarkable progress and resulted in the effective treatments that are now taken for granted.

The recent practice of transfusion isn't the result of one man's effort; but, it is glamorous consequence of many inventors and physician of deferent eras and regions.

In my treatise, I tried to shed light on the most important events in the history of blood transfusion epic. First of All, I discussed the development in the social and religious point of view towards blood. Then, in chapter two, I summarized the major points in the history of discovery of the blood circulation, which was very essential in the understanding of the importance of blood transfusion. Finally, in the third chapter, I tried follw the steps in development of blood transfusion, from the ancient and medical eras to the modern era. I conventionally divided the history of transfusion in the modern era to seven periods, according to the main concern of every period.

Althaough the major development of blood transfusion was in the last sixty years, we can;t ignore the contributions of the Ancient physicians who created the dream that has recently become true.

For thousand of years, human body was a mystery to the world of science. Indeed, cultures accross the globe employed various forms of observation, experience, ritual, intuition, and other methods to combat illnes; such efforts met with varying degrees of success. Yet, profound exploration of human physiology remained elusive. Nowhere was this more apparent than in the understanding of blood ... what it is; what it does; where it flows; how is created; and many questions went unanswered. For many, one issue was clear: blood transfusion was a sound medical procedure.

The practice of blood transfusion, that is the transference of blood from the circulation of one individiual to that of another for practical therapeutic purpose, is of relatively recent origin. Although it only became a pratical posssibility during and shortly after the Second World War, the concept of transfusion has a longer history.

The transfusion time line highlights many of the discoveries inventions, observations, and practices, which, since anciebt times, have led to remarkable progress and resulted in the efffective treatment that are now taken for granted. The 20th Centrury has witnessed the most progress in the enumerable transfusion practices, activities, and safety.

The practicality of transfusion has, to some degree, paralleled and in some instances been the consequence of. developments in other sciences. The idea though of the theoretical beneficial effects of blood transfusion has been recognized for over three centuries. Thus older history is based on the traditional idea of blood as being the"living-force" of the body.

Man must have recognized that loss of blood was frequently associated with weakness and death. This was manisfested by Greeks and Romans committing suicide by 'opening a vien' (involving cutting their wrists). Blood was recognized as having numerous mysterious properties, including initially that of carrying both the mental and physical characters of its owner. Early attempts at replacing lost blood involved the drinking of blood by the patient. By choice, this was from a young, healthy, fit person or animal. The legend of the vampire originates from this concept. This somewhat mystical fascination with the properties of blood is to some degree still with us today.


Introduction  by Dr. Abdul Nasser Kaadan, MD, PhD and Dr. Mahmud Angrini, MD

Pengalaman Donor Darah bagian 1

Banyak pengalaman yang kami peroleh yang menambah keyakinan dan pengalaman kami untuk melakukan donor darah secara rutin. Sebagai contoh saat mau donor darah di UTD Surabaya, jalan yang menuju ke tempat itu searah dan sering dilakukan razia oleh kepolisian setempat dan kami belum punya SIM, kami cerita ke pak polisi bahwa kami mau donor darah dan kami tunjukan kartu donor darah kepada pak polisi dan akhirnya pak polisi tersebut tidak jadi mentilang kami.

Pengalaman di kota Jogja lain lagi, beberapakali mau donor ditolak untuk diambil karena Hb terlalu tinggi yakni di atas 17,5. Petugas menganjurkan untuk datang tiga hari kemudian dan memperbanyak minum air putih dan olah raga. Alhasil Hb menjadi turun dan donor darah pun dapat terlaksana. Pengalaman yang lain di kota Semarang, kami melakukan donor darah sampai pindah tangan dari tangan kanan ke tangan kiri. Saat itu proses pengambilan darah begitu lambat dan akhirnya diputuskan pindah ke tangan yang lain dan alhamdulillah bisa diselesaikan dengan baik.

Salah satu cara kami diajari dengan mengempalkan telapak tangan sampai selesai donor  untuk membantu proses kelancaran pengambilan darah. Pengalaman yang menarik adalah program menaikan berat badan menjadi 60 kg ke atas, karena selama ini berat badan berkisar antara 52-56 kg. Semangat ini muncul pada saat ada keluarga teman sejawat membutuhkan trombosit, ternyata kami tidak bisa membantu karena berat badan masih di bawah 60 kg. Kalau berat badan di bawah 60 kg maka darah yang diambil sehingga darah yang diambil hanya 250 cc yang mempunyai dua kantong. Jika diambil 350 cc atau 450 cc maka akan mempunyai tiga atau empat kantong. Hal ini mendorong untuk menaikan berat badan minimal 60 kg. Dengan berat badan di atas 60 kg dapat diambil minimal sebanyak 350 cc.

Pengetahuan ini juga kami dapatkan ketika kami donor darah di Kota Bandung. Selama ini tidak terpikirkan untuk donor darah sebanyak 450 cc. Ketika pemeriksaan kesehatan, dokter yang bertugas saat itu mengatakan bahwa bersediakah bapak untuk diambil 450cc, baru ada 4 dari 10 kantong yang diperlukan. Pikir saya, wah ini kesempatan yang baik bagi saya berbuat lebih banyak jangan disia-siakan.

Dokter pun menjelaskan bahwa komponen darah yang biasa ditranfusikan kedalam tubuh seseorang adalah sel darah merah (eritrosit), keping pembekuan darah (trombosit), sel darah putih (leukosit), dan plasma darah. Untuk kasus tertentu memang diperlukan pasien berupa  darah dan komponen darah. Jika diambil 450cc, maka kantung yang tersedia ada 4. Artinya semakin banyak darah yang diambil maka semakin banyak kita bisa berbuat baik kepada sesama yang membutuhkan darah atau dan komponennya. Pengalaman adalah guru yang paling baik.