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4 Episodes 2002 - 2002
Episode 1
Sun, Jun 23, 2002 60 mins
"Magic to Medicine," Part 1 of a four-part exploration of what narrator Kathryn Walker calls "the quest to understand human blood and control it," charts the haphazard 2000-year quest for understanding. It begins with Roman physician Galen, whose anatomical studies, though incorrect, were considered gospel for almost 1500 years. The hour also traces the progress of perfecting transfusion, which wouldn't be safe until the 20th century, when blood types were discovered. Indeed, for most of recorded history illnesses were treated the opposite way, with bloodletting. Based on Douglas Starr's book "Blood: An Epic History of Medicine and Commerce."
Episode 2
Sun, Jun 23, 2002 60 mins
"Blood and War" (Part 2) explores the boost the 20th century's two world wars gave to the science of blood transfusion. It was, says narrator Kathryn Walker, "a lifesaving legacy of an era of death and destruction." The hour also looks at some darker sides, including the segregation of donors (and their blood) by race in the U.S.; and the Nazis' linking of "blood and soil," and the pseudo science that flowed from it. But it backfired on the Nazis, who collected blood only from "Aryans" to give to their wounded soldiers: They were chronically short of blood supplies because there were never enough "Aryans" available to donate.
Episode 3
Sun, Jun 30, 2002 60 mins
Part 3, "Tainted Blood," charts blood collecting following World War II. In the U.S., demand soared because of new procedures for cardiac patients and hemophiliacs, among others. But donations declined, so banks began paying donors, whose blood was more likely to be tainted with hepatitis. Then came AIDS. It found its way into the blood supply and, says narrator Kathryn Walker, "everyone was at risk." Based on commentator Douglas Starr's book "Red Gold: An Epic History of Medicine and Commerce."
Episode 4
Sun, Jun 30, 2002 60 mins
Conclusion. "New Blood" examines challenges 21st-century blood banks face in keeping up supplies. There are never enough donors, but in the West, at least, supplies are finally safe (though mad-cow disease could be a threat). The reason: sophisticated tests that Third World blood centers can't afford. Differences (and similarities) in dealing with blood are seen as two women---one in New York, the other in Delhi---await open-heart surgery. The series is based on commentator Douglas Starr's Book "Red Gold: An Epic History of Medicine and Commerce."