Blood and Justice
The 17 Century Parisian Doctor Who Made Blood Transfusion History
Chapter One
A vital fluid
A stave struck the floor three times, demanding attention from the
assembled crowd. The effect was a brief lull in the hubbub, followed
by a resumption of the cacophony. Three more times the stave hit
the marble tile, each assault more strident than the one before. 'S'il vous
plaît,' called the official in the clipped accent that marked him as a resident
of Paris. 'S'il vous plaît,' he repeated, spacing each word and
ensuring that his call was noticed. The case before them was serious - after
all, accusations of murder should never be taken lightly, particularly
in such unusual circumstances. The date was Saturday, 17 April
1668. The place, Le Grand Chastelet, the central court in Paris, a
fantastic building in the heart of the city on the banks of the River Seine.
In the centre of one small group stood Jean-Baptiste Denis, one of a
number of science-minded medics who had the acquaintance of King
Louis XIV. Denis had been born into a family that moved on the edge of
royal circles, but was never in a position to gain full acceptance. His
father was ... read full excerpt from Blood and Justice: The seventeenth-century Parisian doctor who made blood transfusion history ebook
