History and Purpose
The history of blood testing started in 90 when an Austrian biologist and immunologist Karl Landsteiner put forward a proof of the existence of three blood types A, B, and C (later renamed to O) (Castiglioni, ). In 902, Landsteiners colleagues, Alfred Decastello and Adriano Sturli, discovered AB as the fourth and the final blood type. The scientists discovery was a breakthrough in the world of medicine. While it had been long recognized that human blood composition varied from person to person, Landsteiner was able to show that human blood is not universally compatible. The second greatest breakthrough, also made by Landsteiner, was in 939 when the biologist discovered the Rh factor in blood. Landsteiners contributions to medicine made blood transfusions immensely safer as now it was possible to test for both type and factor.
Around the same time, in the 930-940s, testing for bloodborne diseases became the norm in American society (Castiglioni, ). Actually, in most states, it was mandatory to have a clean bill of health after testing for syphilis and/or rubella to obtain a marriage lic
ense in those days. Thanks to blood testing, spouses-to-be could receive the necessary treatment before infecting each other or endangering the health of their future children. 97 was marked with the first blood test for 97, and fast forward to 985, the world saw the first HIV test. Today, the Red Cross performs more than ten tests on all blood donations to enable safe transfusion.
The history of urinalysis dates back to the ancient world. It is believed that Hippocrates was the original uroscopists, though there is evidence that urine diagnosis pre-dates him (Castiglioni, ). Some important breakthroughs in the history of urinalysis include the discovery of the protein, Albuminuria, in 694. In the same century, the advent of the microscope made it possible to analyze urine sediments. Starting from 827, per the initiative of the English physician Richard Bright, urine examination became a routine examination for all patients. The 970-980s were marked with popularization of urine drug testing which was first done in the military and then became commonplace in the corporate environment.
Step by Step Procedures