Blood transfusion in Canada: the early years.

In the early 20th Century most of the development of blood transfusion occurred in the United States. Transfusion activity in Canada dates from 1910, with evidence of its systematic use in both Toronto and Montreal prior to the First World War. Its use was quickly and widely accepted and exploited, particularly under the pressure of support for the management of war injuries. Within a decade transfusion was being used in the practice of surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine and obstetrics, both in University associated hospitals and in community and domiciliary practice, and indications for use developed.