Book Review R. M. TITMUSS: The G$z of Relationship. Allen 61 Unwin, London. 339 pp.; E 1.65. A remarkable work on the gift of blood has just been published. Its sub-title ‘From human blood to social policy’ reveals Prof. TITMUSS’ social philosophy. ‘The starting point of this book is human blood: the scientific, social, economic and ethical issues involved in its procurement, processing, distribution.. .’ What can the procurement and use of human blood tell us about social institutions of today and the objectives of social policy? The author selects the sector of blood donor and transfusion services as ‘one of the most sensitive universal social in- dicators of the quality of relationships and of human values prevailing in a society’. He goes on to say that ‘it also happens to be a crucial medical resource factor; the future of surgical care and many forms of curative and preventive medicine are dependent on the supply of uncontaminated human blood and blood products. Yet over large parts of the world today blood for transfusion is scarcer than many other medical care facilities’. Prof. TITMUSS’ investigation of blood services in the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa and the UdSSR, plus a number of other countries often drawing on Red Cross sources, and in particdar his analysis of who gives, lends or sells his blood and why, shed a revealing light on the relations of human beings in mass societies. The analysis of the gift of blood made by Prof. TITMUSS as a sociologist proves that this action stems from altruistic motives. The gift of blood is the gift of self committing those who consent thereto. The author’s study of different blood programmes can, therefore, help blood transfusion organizers to understand the reasons underlying a person’s decision to give his blood voluntarily, and thus to adapt their activities accordingly. Finally, this book contains a great deal of practical information, a t the same time giving a novel approach concerning the giving and receiving of blood in the modern welfare system. Z. S. HANTCHEF

The Gift of Relationship

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Book Review

R. M. TITMUSS: The G$z of Relationship. Allen 61 Unwin, London. 339 pp.; E 1.65.

A remarkable work on the gift of blood has just been published. Its sub-title ‘From human blood to social policy’ reveals Prof. TITMUSS’ social philosophy.

‘The starting point of this book is human blood: the scientific, social, economic and ethical issues involved in its procurement, processing, distribution.. .’ What can the procurement and use of human blood tell us about social institutions of today and the objectives of social policy? The author selects the sector of blood donor and transfusion services as ‘one of the most sensitive universal social in- dicators of the quality of relationships and of human values prevailing in a society’.

He goes on to say that ‘it also happens to be a crucial medical resource factor; the future of surgical care and many forms of curative and preventive medicine are dependent on the supply of uncontaminated human blood and blood products. Yet over large parts of the world today blood for transfusion is scarcer than many other medical care facilities’.

Prof. TITMUSS’ investigation of blood services in the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa and the UdSSR, plus a number of other countries often drawing on Red Cross sources, and in particdar his analysis of who gives, lends or sells his blood and why, shed a revealing light on the relations of human beings in mass societies.

The analysis of the gift of blood made by Prof. TITMUSS as a sociologist proves that this action stems from altruistic motives. The gift of blood is the gift of self committing those who consent thereto.

The author’s study of different blood programmes can, therefore, help blood transfusion organizers to understand the reasons underlying a person’s decision to give his blood voluntarily, and thus to adapt their activities accordingly.

Finally, this book contains a great deal of practical information, a t the same time giving a novel approach concerning the giving and receiving of blood in the modern welfare system.

Z. S. HANTCHEF