The development of weaponry used during both the First and Second World Wars meant that injuries sustained during the conflicts were far more catastrophic than had been previously seen. The bullets and artillery fire could easily penetrate the soft tissue and muscle, as well as fracture and splinter bones. As a result, blood loss was of immediate concern for the medical services.

In the early stages of the First World War, blood transfusions had to be done through a process of direct transfusion from a donor to a recipient. This was risky and logistically problematic however, as the donor needed to be the correct blood type, and there always had to be a donor present to donate blood. 

Towards the end of the First World War, Sodium Citrate was discovered as an anticoagulant, this stopped the blood from clotting and meant that blood could be stored for long periods of time.

DID YOU KNOW…?

Anticoagulants are medicines that help prevent blood clots.

The Second World War marked a key turning point for blood transfusions, as the techniques to use and store blood (such as new inventions in refrigeration) differed from the beginning of the First World War. As a result, during the Second World War direct transfusions were a thing of the past, instead, the British Medical Services were administering blood through stored blood in mobile blood banks.

SECOND WORLD WAR CONTENTS:

• People Profiles

• Living through Conflict

• A Fight For Freedom

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission Stories

• Commemoration and Legacy 

• Artistic Responses to Conflict

• End of Conflict

• Military Medicine

• Activities

• References

RELATED CONTENT:

• Advancements in Medicine - First World War

• Hospitals - First World War