In 1890, Maurice Arthus showed that calcium was necessary for blood coagulation. The discovery helped explain why substances such as citrate could prevent clotting by binding calcium. This insight later made anticoagulated blood samples, transfusion practice and laboratory clotting tests much more reliable.

Arthus's discovery in 1890 that calcium is essential for coagulation transformed perceptions of the body in literature. This scientific insight contributed to a broader cultural movement in the 19th century that sought to reconcile the mystical aspects of life with measurable, chemical realities.