The father and his brother, who is one of the most distinguished men in the profession, and one or two other doctors were in consultation with reference to it, but considered the case entirely hopeless.
"It so happened that the father had been impressed with the work which Dr.Carrel had been doing at the Institute, and had spent several days with him studying his methods.

He became convinced that the only possibility of saving the child's life was by the direct transfusion of blood.

While this has been done between adults, the blood vessels of a young infant are so delicate that it seemed impossible that the operation could be successfully carried on.

It is necessary not only that the blood vessels of the two persons should be united together, but it must be done in such a way that the interior lining of the vessels, which is a smooth, shiny tissue, should be continuous.

If the blood comes in contact with the muscular coat of the blood vessels, it will clot and stop the circulation.
"Fortunately, Dr.Carrel had been experimenting on the blood vessels of some very young animals, and the father was convinced that if any man in the country could perform the operation successfully, it would be he.
"It was then the middle of the night.