In 1882, Hofmeier1 first suggested a hematogenous origin for jaundice of the new-born infant. For years this theory received little attention, but evidence gradually accumulated which led writers on the subject to grant it a rôle of minor importance, then to assign it a parity with hepatogenous factors, and finally to advance it as the sole cause of this condition.
In 1912, Hess2 dismissed blood destruction as being a primary cause of jaundice, on the following grounds: First, when the liver is extirpated, jaundice cannot be induced; second, the finding of bile acids in the pericardial fluid of jaundiced babies proves the participation of the liver; third, free hemoglobin cannot be found in the blood of the new-born infant; fourth, jaundice cannot be produced by the injection of hemoglobin, and fifth, jaundice does not follow transfusion. Today each of these objections can be met. Whipple and Hooper3