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For centuries, blood has been considered to have mystical properties and has been associated with vitality. In ancient times, bathing in or drinking the blood of the strong was thought to invigorate the weak. For instance, among Ancient Romans it was customary to rush into the arena to drink the blood of dying gladiators [1]; among others, to drink or bathe in blood was thought to cure a variety of ailments [2]. Bleeding was practiced to let out bad blood and restore the balance of humors, thus hopefully returning the patient to health.

It is not known when and by whom the idea of transfusing blood was developed. It is said that the first transfusion was given to Pope Innocent VIII in 1492. According to this legend, the Pope was given the blood of three boys, whose lives were thus sacrificed in vain [1, 3] because the attempts did not save the Pope. In another version of the story, the blood was intended to be used in a tonic for the Pope, which he refused, thus sparing the boys’ lives [2]. Ironically, the concept of transfusion blood from younger donors to revitalize older individuals has reappeared recently, although without any scientific background or basis.