Can type B blood be given to everyone?

Many a person has given a pint or more of his blood to save the life of someone sick or injured. There are certain chemicals which make the blood of one person slightly different from that of another. These different types of blood have been divided into four groups. It is possible that four cousins may each have a different type of blood – A, B, AB and 0.

In giving a transfusion, the doctor must know the blood type of the donor and of his patient. For certain types of blood clot when mixed and may do great harm to the patient. The doctor knows exactly which types will mix safely, though this is quite a complicated business.

A person with blood type 0 can give his blood safely to persons of types A, B, A B, and 0. Though he can receive only blood from persons in his own type 0 group. A person with type AB blood can give only to other persons of his AB group. Though he can safely receive blood from ail four types himself. Owners of blood type B can give only to those of the B and AB group and safely receive blood from the B and 0 groups.

Persons with A type blood can give safely only to the A and B groups. They can receive safely only from persons whose blood is in the A and 0 groups. Type 0 blood is the only kind that can be given safely to all four blood types.