Early history of parenteral nutrition.

A historical review is presented of a number of aspects of early animal experiments and clinical trials dealing with the i.v. infusion of whole blood and milk; the nutritional use of i.v. erythrocytes, plasma proteins, protein hydrolysates, amino acids, and glucose; and development and use of i.v. fat emulsions. A brief description of the experience with the nutritional use of i.v. ethyl alcohol is also presented. The important studies beginning in the 1960's by Dudrick, Rhoads, Vars, and Wilmore are described elsewhere by them.