Method 1: Cautery Cautery was the process of sealing a wound using heat, to stop the bleeding. Usually, this was done with a hot iron, as shown here (different shapes and sizes depending on the wound) But occasionally it could also involve the wound being ‘dipped’ into hot oil or tar.

Method 2: Ligatures In the 16th century a French surgeon named Ambroise Paré developed metal clips to place in arteries during surgery. He also tried using silk thread to tie blood vessels after an amputation rather than cauterising – which was far less painful for the patient. These threads or clips became known as ligatures, but they did not always stop the bleeding if not tied or used correctly, and furthermore – a surgeon with dirty hands trying to actively touch the blood vessels of a wound would increase the risk of infection.

Method 3: The Torniquet Amputation of the leg at the thigh. The tourniquet deadened the pain as well as reducing the flow of blood but was likely to cause serious tissue damage. From Illustrations of the Great Operations of Surgery by Charles Bell (London, 1821).

20th Century breakthrough (1) Unlike anaesthetics and antiseptics, which were well on their way to being developed by the end of the 19th century, it would not be until the start of the 20th century that big developments in dealing with blood loss were really made. In 1901 Karl Landsteiner discovered that blood was actually different types: A, B and O. And in 1902 a fourth group (AB) was added. This was a major breakthrough, as it was now understood that blood transfusions had to take place between people of the same blood group, or they would die.

World War One The horrors of World War One are well known, but a lot of soldiers died from wounds that on their own were not actually fatal. Many soldiers died from blood loss – even if they were lucky enough to be rescued and taken to the field hospital for treatment. In the midst of war, it was practically impossible to have a blood donor present at all times to help replace lost blood.

20th Century breakthrough (2) In 1915 American doctor Richard Lewisohn discovered that adding sodium citrate to blood stopped it from clotting. This meant that the donor no longer had to be present to give blood. It was by no means a perfect solution – the blood still had to be used within days of being given, but it saved the lives of thousands of soldiers who might otherwise of died.

20th Century breakthrough (3) In 1915 Richard Weil discovered that blood could be refrigerated. Francis Rous and James Turner found out in 1916 that adding a citrate glucose solution to the blood allowed it to be stored for longer. This meant that when the army had a big attack planned they could ask for blood donations from the public so that wounded soldiers could be treated. In 1917 the first blood depot was set up (for the Battle of Cambrai). It was full of blood group O – the only blood type that can be given to everyone safely.