The Struggle for Viability

About the Book

His theory was that we´d be better off if we swapped blood with our neighbors. Alexander Bogdanov saw individualism as a major problem in the early Soviet Union, and thought socialist orientation could be improved by mutual transfusions. Of course, he studied blood transfusion as replacement for lost or defective blood, but also thought it brought about generalized rejuvenation and stimulation of the body. Complications like AIDS and hepatitis were unknown in 1907 when Bogdanov first expounded such notions. "The Struggle for Viability" is a translation of and commentary on Bogdanov´s 1927 book explaining his theories of blood transfusion, and the activity of his institute, the world´s first devoted entirely to blood transfusion. Although better known for his rivalry with Lenin and for his contributions to organizational science, Bogdanov was also a pioneer in Soviet medicine. This is the first time his medical works have appeared in English. Included are a biographical introduction and critique of Bogdanov´s theories, and a history of his institute to the present day.

About the Author

Alexander Bogdanov (1873-1928) was a man who turned his hand to almost everything. Trained as a physician, he was also an economist, politician, revolutionary (rival of Lenin), philosopher, science fiction author, poet, and scientist. His work on organizational science foreshadowed present developments in that field and in cybernetics. In Moscow, in 1926, he founded the world’s first institute devoted entirely to blood transfusion. Two years later, ironically, he died as a result of a transfusion experiment gone wrong. Douglas W. Huestis, translator and editor: Dr. Huestis was born in London, Ontario, Canada, and educated at the University of Toronto and McGill University, receiving his medical degree from McGill. A clinical pathologist, specializing in blood transfusion and transplantation, he is currently emeritus professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. In addition to numerous scientific articles, with two colleagues he wrote a textbook of blood transfusion. He has also written several pieces of fiction and of medical history. Dr. Huestis lives in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife.