A glutaraldehyde-polymerized or "stabilized" B-SFHS has been developed and tested in rabbits. This solution has been found to be nontoxic in terms of animal survival, nonantigenic when administered in single large volume infusions and capable of remaining in the circulation for a prolonged period of time while retaining the ability to transport and offload oxygen. Additionally, replacement of up to two-thirds of the blood volume with SB-SFHS was found to be advantageous over replacement with plasma protein fraction in terms of survival. By virtue of its unlimited supply, this bovine hemoglobin solution represents a new option for a "blood substitute."