USE OF "IRON LUNG"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23179, 27 October 1938, Page 13

USE OF "IRON LUNG"

FIRST, V7ELLINGTON CASE CHILD PARALYSIS PATIENT A glrl from nelson [by telegbaph OWN cobbespondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday For the first time in Wellington a patient suffering from infantile paralysis is undergoing treatment in an "iron lung" at the Wellington Hospital. The patient is a Nelson girl aged ten years, who was transferred to Wellington as a result of her contracting infantile paralysis after an attack of measles. She has now had treatment in the "iron lung" for two days. It is not known how long her treatment in the apparatus will continue.^ The "iron 'lung" is a development of medical science the last ten years. The apparatus is a long metal barrel, which encloses the body of the patient to the neck. Air pressure inside the barrel is raised and lowered rhythmically, causing the patient to breathe, even though his chest muscles are too weak to do this normally. Wellington has had its apparatus for some months, but this is the first occasion on which a call for its services has been made. TREATMENT HOT HEW SEVERAL OASES IN AUCKLAND A number of patients have had treatment in the "iron lung" at the Auckland Hospital. A machine built by the engineer at the Auckland Hospital, Mr. F. C. Jacobs, was installed almost two years ago. Since that time it has been used a number of times in cases of infantile paralysis. Because of the usefulness of the apparatus in cases of apparent drowning and asphyxiation, it has recently been suggested that the Auckland Hospital should be supplied with another machine as a stand-by in case of emergency.