Treatment for Traumatic Shock in World War II

Over time, millions of people have died because there was no effective way to treat traumatic shock, which typically, although not always, results from an injury. The shock research studies that Blalock conceived and Thomas carried out proved that infusing plasma and/or blood into patients in shock would save lives. This photo shows a World War II soldier who is being infused with plasma, which would keep him alive until he could reach an operating theater.

After Nazi Germany was defeated, General George Patton immediately said that the death rate of American soldiers in World War II was the lowest in its history. He added, “While this situation was the result of many factors, it is safe to say that outstanding among them was the ample and steady supply of whole blood and plasma.”

It’s not just military leaders who should gain glory for winning the war. The list of war heroes also should include the names of Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas, whose traumatic shock research kept hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen alive.