Can of desiccated normal human plasma

Long can made from plated tin with a lacquer finish. The can is provided with a opening tab just below the upper lip, and a opening key (similar to that used for sardine cans) is tacked to the lid. Printed in black text on the body of the can are the words: 'DESICCATED NORMAL HUMAN PLASMA. Representing 250 cc original normal plasma. To which has been added as a preservative 1:35,000 'Merthiolate' (Sodium Ethyl Mercuri Thiosalicylate, Lilly). US Govt License No 56. No US Standard of Potency. Contains also: 1 Double-ended Needle (see No 3); 1 Intravenous Needle (see No 16); 1 Clamp (see No 11). ELI LILLY AND COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS'. The reverse of the can is printed with detailed, illustrated instructions on the operation of the equipment, in conjunction with distilled water (see REL34843, REL34844 and REL34846). Printed adjacent to these instructions is the legend 'STANDARD ARMY AND NAVY PACKAGE OF NORMAL HUMAN PLASMA DRIED.'

After an inter-war hiatus, the Second World War provided a real impetus to the development of blood transfusion and storage, and the preparation of plasma and serum. In Australia, the outbreak of war saw the formation of a Medical Coordination Committee which recommended that the Red Cross should take responsibility of blood donor recruitment; this was developed in conjunction with the New South Wales Blood Transfusion Service which concentrated on serum preparation. Additionally, 2 Australian Blood and Serum Preparation Unit was formed to handle the frontline organisation of blood and serum distribution. Serum proved life-saving in the treatment of burns victims (many thousands of whom required treatment during this conflict), demanding a high workload on the Blood Transfusion Service. The development of desiccated serum also took priority in the United States, with research and commercial development led by the pharmaceutical company of Eli Lilly and Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, who had, by 1943, developed the means for full-scale production of penicillin. The Australian Red Cross supplied huge amounts of blood, plasma and serum to American Pacific Forces, and much American material, usually supply by Eli Lilly, was used in Australia.