OrthO-Wire.com
Title
Worldwide Immunohematology Resource for Education
Description
Early in time, the true nature and function of blood was shrouded in mystery. The ancients believed blood to be the most important of the four body "humors" - the seat and source of the passions. Some of our everyday expressions are the survivors of these ancient beliefs: a person is "hot blooded" if easily roused to anger, or "cold blooded" if ruthless and calculating. "Bad blood" is used to describe resentment and desire for revenge. These familiar expressions are found in every language, and are in common use the world over today.
As early as the 1800's, common medical treatments still included such practices as bloodletting. It was generally believed that excessive amounts of blood caused all sorts of bodily ills, particularly fevers. This combination of superstition and desire to do something meaningful for sick people no doubt led to many deaths and the spread of disease.
Another popular practice at that time was "thinning the blood." Fruitlessly useless and sometimes deadly, "thinning the blood" was achieved using herbal remedies. It was also believed that this practice was best performed in the spring. You may even have recollections of your grandmothers' herbal tea, or the detested sulfur and molasses concoction.
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