Volume and Rate in Blood Transfusion for the Relief of Anaemia

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Abstract
The usual method of giving about a pint in about 1/2 hr. is irrational and unsatisfactory. The vol. should be detd. by the required rise in Hb conc. and the patient''s size. An explanation of how this may be calculated is given. If a rise of more than 33% of Hb conc. is desired the transfusion should be divided into 2 parts separated by 48 hrs. The rate should never exceed 1 cc. per lb. of body wt. per hr. (continuous drip method). The rate of flow should be maintained steadily with no acceleration even for short periods. A table gives the distr. of clinical conditions treated in 194 drip transfusions. 21 references. Cf. Evaluation of Marriott''s and Kekwick''s quantitative approach to the problem of transfusion, ibid, Leading Article, p. 1061.