SC - Re: SC: Use of Medicinal Leeches

[Etain1263 at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/7/00 11:41:22 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
baronsig at peganet.com writes:

<< They won't take it. I've asked the same question; there's something
 wrong with the blood itself that makes it unusable for transfusion purposes,
 though I can't figure out what. It just strikes me as a needless waste,
 that's all. >>

I'm not really sure "why"..but the "how" might be the problem.  As things 
stand now, you can only donate at certain places that can process the blood.  
Theraputic bleeds are done on an outpatient basis (or in the ER) into sterile 
calibrated bottles that are then sent to the lab for disposal.  They need to 
use the bottles so they know exactly how much they are taking out (as opposed 
to the blood donation packets that are "approximate" and later guaged by 
weight rather than volume.  
  Another thing is...why is this person in need of theraputic bleeding?  Any 
medical reason for either the overproduction of blood or lack of ability to 
break it down would probably render the blood "suspicious" for reuse.  

Etain