The Indian Medical Gazette. A Monthly Journal of Medicine Surgery Public Health and General Medical Intelligence Indian and European. June 1947

The present-day tendency has however been to rely entirely or unduly on the transfusion of blood alone in the treatment of any case of severe anemia without any reference to the type of anaemia and the probable aetiology of the condition. [...] The investigations included a complete cytological examination of the blood as to the type and degree of anaemia as also examination of the blood for malaria kala-azar and syphilis examination of the bone marrow by sternal biopsy; fractional gastric analysis; examiation of the stool for any helminthic ova and protozoa; and examination of the urine for any abnormality. [...] In the group of cases with infection or infestation eradication of the infection with specific treatment was all that was necessary in most cases of malaria and kalazar for the improvement of any associated anaemia while combined treatment with iron and anthelmintic was essential for the treatment of hookworm anaemia of any degree. [...] In the absence of any associated complications e.g.'tantrum oris in kala-azar and in the absence of any severe anaemia transfusion of blood is not generally indicated in the treatment of any associated anaemia in this group of cases. [...] Therefore complete cytolOgical examination of the blood to detemine the type and degree of anaemia examintion of the sternal bone marrow to find out the cellularity and the reaction of the marrow and a thorough investigation to find out any associated condition are essential pre-requisites in determining the mode of treatment of any case of anaemia mild moderate or severe.