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This section will be divided into several parts.
I have tried to provide as much practical information as possible into the
art of bloodletting, in order to help everyone better understand such practices.
There are diagrams and graphics pages attached via hyperlinks, to illustrate
certain topics. I did not integrate them all into one page, so as to not slow
the download process, or delay everyones reading. Just click on the icons as
you go to see the illustrations and graphics for the section. [Note:
Graphics not included here due to linked larger images missing, and the thumbnails
not being very readable. ~Sphynx]
THE ART OF BLOODLETTING
The art of bloodletting is an ancient one.
The act, itself, was used for many centuries as a medical procedure, and was
acclaimed to heal nearly every ail, at one time or another.
Doctors of times past would use the act of bloodletting for every illness
from the Common Cold to Cancer.
Why?
I suppose the answer lies in the fact that medicine of the time did not give
these people adequate technology to
determine what was causing many ailments. In such cases where the cause could
not be determined, the only answer was to believe that the blood must be *bad*,
and that by letting the blood, the illness could be eliminated and the patient
would be healed. Now, for common illnesses like the Cold, bloodletting did
seem to be effective, because the symptoms disappeared shortly after the bloodletting
was done. (Of course no one knew at that time that the symptoms would disappear
on their own anyway) Not to mention the fact that more patients died of the
blood loss than would have from the assumed ailments in many cases.
In many parts of the world, leeches were even used for such purposes. The
thought of it just makes my skin crawl.
MODERN TIMES
The art of bloodletting as a medical practice has been done away with. No
longer does one go into the hospital for the flu and have leeches attached
to their arm to remove the illness. Modern medicine has seen fit to give us
real, workable treatments for our ills.
The act of drawing blood is now basically confined to use for medical blood
testing, blood and plasma donations, and of course, Vampires to drink…
I had debated as to whether or not I should include specific information
regarding blood letting and such, as it is really not something I like to
condone to people as an acceptable act. The truth is that these acts are quite
dangerous, and I would not suggest that anyone who is untrained attempt to
perform them.
So, rather than include distinct information to the general public as to
exactly how to draw blood, I have decided it might be better to simply give
a listing of the means by which such things are done, the tools and equipment
used, and leave it at that.
A LISTING OF METHODS AND PREFERENCES
In her insight and wisdom, Azhrarn states
**Syringe extraction from the vein in the inner elbow (just like the good
old red cross) ALWAYS use fresh syringes, and don't try it unless you are
IV certified or you can cause a great deal of pain. or, when unused syringes
are unavailable...Nicking the same vein with a fresh razor. This yields much
less blood and is vastly more difficult if you want to keep from damaging
your food. ALWAYS use a fresh razor, NEVER cut too deeply, and ALWAYS keep
away from areas like the wrist (too many tendons and nerves for safety) and
neck (frightfully risky - often life threatening if you screw up)**
Lady Slinky has commented, **We use a
lancet. It is a little knife thing that diabetics use to check their blood
sugar levels. If you do not use the nifty gun thingy that comes with it you
can make a nice poke which will heal in a matter of an hour or so or you can
make a nice clean cut which most of the time if done in a place that is not
tight or moves a lot will heal in a few days and not scar**
Vampiress has said **These days I am
now heavily into the syringe method. We have a rather large stash of syringes.
It's not like we will ever run out as here in Australia they are freely available.
However all precautions must still be adhered to such as swabbing and being
as sterile as possible. Nasty little things can pop up at unexpected times
if you are not careful. One should also be skilled at the art of injecting.
Finding veins is one thing but getting into them is another. Constriction
is almost always a must as it tends to "pop" the veins up further
to the surface of the skin. However, the nasty lil' buggers can tend to roll,
even when you have stuck them**
A LIST OF OTHER INFORMATION I HAVE GATHERED
Incisions
A wide variety of blades are often implemented to make incisions from which
the blood is drawn, drained, or drank directly from. Small cuts on fingertips
and other superficial wounds are usually enough to suffice the blood cravings,
yielding anywhere from a very small amount to an ounce or more. Care must
be taken to ensure that the area does not become infected, so proper washing
and bandaging techniques should always be used. Sterilization of the blade
is also quite important, as is a supply of anti-bacterial supplies, a clean
environment, and bandages. Any blade to be used should be well sharpened,
regularly, so as to lessen the damage of the blade. The use of Neosporin or
other antibiotic ointments can lessen the chances for infection, and speed
the healing process. Among the most common blades used are razor blades, scalpels
and craft/hobby knives. Other, more ceremonial or ornate blades are used as
well, such as swords, daggers, and those interesting little ornate letter
openers, after, of course, being sharpened up. I have also known of those
who use common kitchen knives and scissors and such, but would not suggest
anyone use such tools, as they are used for many other things, and have a
much higher chance of carrying germs and disease potential. It is suggested
that any tool used for bloodletting be maintained in a clean, dry place between
uses, and not be used for other purposes, whatsoever. It must be stated that
cutting too close to veins and arteries, or too deeply can result in permanent
damage to the donor, so such things should not be done, under any circumstances.
Punctures
Probably one of the safer means of blood drawing, but it does not yield great
quantities, so it is not often used. Commonly used are the sewing needle,
safety pins, and metal skewers found in every household. These tools are used
to quickly prick the skin, usually finger and toe tips, and then the blood
is pushed out by applying pressure. On the safer and more sanitary side of
things, some choose to use Autolances and small, disposable lancets, for these
purposes. The prick is quicker, less painful, and often yield slightly more
blood than the average safety pin. These are spring loaded devices that are
used by diabetics for testing blood sugar levels, and are available quite
inexpensively at most drug stores.
Verotika notes: **You know my specific,
the easiest, painless thing out there, the autolance by B-D and their ultrafine
two lancets. Have a pouch with cotton swabs, a bunch of indivual lancets
that have never been used, the autolance, and there you go. You may not
get all that much out of each time but most people who donate do not wish
all that much pain, and I don't need all that much blood. A few drops can
work wonders.**
Drawing
This has been considered the safest way to acquire larger quantities of blood,
but should only be used by *professionally trained persons*. These measures
require access to medical equipment such as hypodermic needles and sharps,
vacutainers, tubing, etc. I will refrain from expounding on this topic, because
the only people who have access to such equipment legally are those who are
trained to use them. In order for the average person to acquire such things,
they would need to be stolen, and such illegal acts are not condoned by the
hosts of this site. The only other means to obtain such things would be to
utilize a farm supply or feed shop, where they often sell medicines and syringes
for use by farm animal owners for their livestock. Again, I would not encourage
anyone to proceed in this line of blood drawing unless one is fully trained
and competent.
BabyVamp has provided us with a bit of insight,
and says: **it is often suggested that you dont actually use
an artery when using syringes as any small particle or fibre [even if you
are megahygenic this can happen] is drawn in the blood stream toward the
heart. Also the use of smaller veins needs some care , larger veins are
easier to actually draw from and are less likely to roll away if using a
tourniquet to keep the vein up or raise it in the first place it is best
to remove this before taking out the syringe**
This article is presented as part of an ongoing
effort to present other views outside of, as well as within, the online
vampire community. As such, the views and attitudes contained in this
article are entirely those of the author(s), and may not necessarily
be shared by SphynxCatVP. The webmaster is not under obligation to update
or otherwise keep current the contents of this article. Most
importantly, only you can decide for yourself whether this article or
any of the author(s) other views are useful or applicable to you - use
your own reasoning and judgment.
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