THE “IRON LUNGS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23702, 9 January 1939, Page 7

THE “IRON LUNGS”

LORD NUFFIELD’S GIFT SCIENTIST NOT ENTHUSIASTIC “WASTE OF BENEVOLENCE’’ (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON. Jan. 6. Sir-Frederick Menzies, who introduced the “ iron lung ” into Britain, in a letter to the British Medical Journal anropos Lord Nuffield’s gift to hospitals throughout the Empire, said: “ It is incredible that such advice should be given by anybody with practical experience of mechanical respirators. It is a thousand pities that the munificent generosity of one of the benefactoi’s to medical science should be thus exploited. I hope it is not too late to prevent such wanton waste of benevo'ence. Respirators are passing through an evolutionary stage in which we are learning continually. It is the height of folly at present to standardise any one type, but perhaps the worst mistake is a general distribution when the majority of hospitals have not the slightest idea of its proper use.”

A cablegram received on November 24 stated: Lord Nuffield has announced that he is providing every hospital and institution throughout the Empire with an ii'on lung of Australian design, of which it is expected 5000 v/ill be required. They will be available bv March, 1939, and the cost is estimated at £500,000. The iron lung is designed by a South Australian, Mr E. T. Both, and owes its creation to the Austi’alian paralysis epidemic last year. Arrangements for its manufacture for Lord Nuffield have been made through Mr Both and the Adelaide firm of Messrs D. and JFowler, who are undertaking to service the apparatus for £1 a year. The South Australian engineer, Mr Both, built a plywood iron lung, costing £9B, which could be used by patients in their homes, as it is easy to handle, with simple airtight devices and a zip-fastened rubber collar.