June 15 – On This Day in Medical History
Medical milestones, landmark publications, and notable births and deaths associated with June 15.
Events
1667 – Jean-Baptiste Denis (*1635-1704) performed the first documented transfusion of blood from an animal to a man (xenotransfusion). He transfused twelve ounces of sheep’s blood into a 15-year-old boy who had been excessively bled with leeches. The boy survived the transfusion and “rapidly recovered from his lethargy, grew fatter and was an object of surprise and astonishment to all who knew him”
Births
No major medical milestones added for this date yet — this page is being expanded
Deaths
1905 – Karl Wernicke (1848-1905), German neurologist and psychiatrist. Described Wernicke’s area, Wernicke’s aphasia (1874), Wernicke encephalopathy (Wernicke syndrome) (1881), Wernicke hemianopic pupil (1883), Wernicke’s cramp (1904)
Further reading
- Roux FA, Saï P, Deschamps JY. Xenotransfusion, past and present. Xenotransplantation 2007; 14(3): 208-16
BA MA (Oxon) MBChB (Edin) FACEM FFSEM. Emergency physician, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Passion for rugby; medical history; medical education; and asynchronous learning #FOAMed evangelist. Co-founder and CTO of Life in the Fast lane | On Call: Principles and Protocol 4e| Eponyms | Books |