Richard Lower, a physician, conducted a notable experiment in blood transfusion, which he documented in a correspondence with the famed chemist Robert Boyle. This exchange occurred during a period when scientific inquiry was rapidly evolving, spurred by the birth of the Royal Society in London just a few years earlier. In his letter, published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Lower described his experiment involving the transfusion of blood from one dog to another, aiming to establish the feasibility of blood transfer between living beings. This groundbreaking observation provided critical insights into circulatory physiology and the compatibility of different blood types, albeit largely unrecognized at the time.

Lower's findings were initially a demonstration rather than a practical medical procedure, but they laid the groundwork for future explorations of blood transfusion techniques. The letter emphasized the importance of rigorous experimentation and empirical observation in science. Lower himself was in tune with the experimental methodologies that characterized the early modern scientific revolution, which sought to understand natural phenomena through observation and direct experimentation, rather than pure speculation.

Though the practical application of blood transfusions would not be developed until much later—with the understanding of blood groups and compatibility in the 20th century—Lower's early work is recognized as a pivotal moment in medical history. The experimentation conducted involving animals signaled the beginning of a journey towards utilizing blood transfusions in human medicine, deepening insights into the complexities of blood and its vital role in sustaining life.