Ovids Metamorphoses

The idea of red cell substitutes is not new. In Ovid s Metamorphosis the witch Medea restored Jason s aged father, Aeson, by slitting his throat to let out old blood, replacing it with a magic brew she had concocted (1). Sir Christopher Wren was one of the first to apply the new knowledge about circulation to blood substitutes. In 1656 he infused ale, wine, scammony, and opium into dogs and from these efforts conceived the ideal of transfusing blood from one animal to another. Lower actually carried out the first transfusion experiments (2). 

HALCYONIUM — The Halcyon Birds, beloved by the goddess Tethaeos. See Pliny (1. 10, c. 32 1. 2, c. 49 1. 18, c. 26) as to the manner of their pregnancy, the mode in which they prepare their nests, and their appearance. Compare the very elegant fable in the eleventh metamorphosis of Ovid, and other writers who have treated concerning these birds. Deservedly indeed did these most... 

Metamorphosis, according to Professor Bynum, involves a transformation from one form to another, while marntainmg a common characteristic or aspect. For example, Bynum relates the poet Ovid s tale of Jove s punishment of King Lycaon, who was savage with his subjects and also attempted Jove s murder. Although Lycaon is thoroughly and bodily transformed into a wolf ( Lykos" = wolf in Greek) ... 

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