RACE FOR LIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23359, 30 May 1939, Page 8

RACE FOR LIFE

"VICTIM OF PARALYSIS CASE FOR IRON LUNG FLIGHT FROM WELLINGTON SAVING SIX-YEAR-OLD BOY The speed of air transport and the skill of medical invention were combined in an attempt to eavo tlio life of a Wellington boy, Donald Nairn, aged six years, who was stricken by respiratory paralysis yesterday. With the immediate uso of an iron lung imperative, the boy was brought by aeroplane from Wellington to Auckland, and within little more than three hours after leaving the ltongotai aerodrome lie was placed in the mechanical respirator at the Auckland Hospital. An iron lung is installed at the Wellington Hospital and in normal circumstances the boy would liave received immediate treatment when he was admitted to the institution yesterday morning. However, another patient also suffering from infantile paralysis was already occupying the respirator. With, a transfer impossible, the hospital authorities decided to seek the aid of other institutions in the Dominion. Conversion oi Aeroplane Hasty inquiries were directed to the Auckland and South Island hospitals. However, the Wellington authorities main hope lay in the Auckland Hospital, where the medical superintendent, Dr. J. W. Craven, was able to arrange for the respirator to be available for the paralysed boy. The call for an ambulance aeroplane came at a time when the Wellington Aero Club's biplane, which is normally used for this work, was undergoing overhaul. However, the ground staff at Rongotai speedily adapted a Vega Gull monoplane to carry a .stretcher, and, piloted by Mr. It. Morphy, the machine left on its long flight at 12.30 p.m. During the trip the patient was attended by Dr. J. F. Bradbury, of the resident medical staff of the Wellington Hospital, and equipment for administering oxygen was also carried. When the Mangere aerodrome was reached shortly after three o'clock the patient was stated to have stood up exceptionally well to the flight. Transfer to Hospital Under Dr. Bradbury's supervision, the boy was transferred to a waiting St. John ambulance and taken to the Auckland Hospital. Immediately following his admission, he was placed in the iron lung and, although it was stated to bo too early to pronounce definitely, his condition last night was reported to be satisfactory. A respirator has been in use at the Auckland Hospital since January, 1937, when an iron lung of the Drinker type was built by the hospital engineer, Mr. F. C. Jacobs. It has since been responsible! for saving a number of lives in cases where there has been paralysis of the respiratory system. The Hospital Board, similarly to many other institutions, has also taken advantage of Lord Nuffield's offer to supply iron lungs to hospitals throughout the Empire, but this equipment has not yet reached the Dominion.