Can you think of any inventions that have had a significant impact on people’s lives? Throughout history, there have been numerous groundbreaking inventions. Take the field of medicine, for instance. In this field alone, inventions such as vaccines, anesthesia, and the stethoscope have revolutionized the world.
Today’s Wonder of the Day is focused on another medical invention. Before the invention of respirators, it played a crucial role in assisting individuals who were unable to breathe independently. That’s right – today, we’re exploring the functionality of iron lungs.
Iron lungs are not commonly used today, but there was a time when they were a common sight in many hospitals. Developed in 1928, they provided treatment for severe cases of polio. This disease, which primarily affected children, could lead to life-threatening complications and even paralysis.
In some cases, patients completely lost the ability to breathe. This occurred when the virus affected the diaphragm, a muscle located below the lungs. Many of these patients were able to regain their ability to breathe after a few weeks or months of using an iron lung. Others relied on the machine for the rest of their lives.
So, how does an iron lung work? It operates based on air pressure. To initiate the treatment, patients are placed on a movable bed. A nurse or doctor then slides the bed into a large metal tube, which is the iron lung. Once inside the lung, only the patients’ heads remain outside the tube. A rubber seal around their neck prevents air from escaping the machine.
When the iron lung is activated, it increases the air pressure inside the tube. This causes the lungs to deflate, forcing the patient to exhale. Subsequently, the air pressure decreases, allowing the patient to inhale as their lungs inflate.
During the initial stages of treatment with an iron lung, patients spend most of their time inside the machine. They may only be taken out for a few minutes a day until they are capable of breathing on their own. As a result, they rely on the assistance of nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff for everyday tasks such as eating and changing clothes.
Are iron lungs still used today? Yes, but they are extremely rare. Paul Alexander, who was diagnosed with polio at the age of six in 1952, is one example. Today, Alexander can spend short periods of time, sometimes hours, outside of the iron lung. He has built a successful career as an attorney and has lived a fulfilling life thanks to the respiratory support provided by this machine.
Due to vaccines, there have been no new cases of polio in the U.S. since 1979. This has made it challenging for Alexander to find replacement parts for his iron lung. It is also difficult to find individuals who can repair the machine. Furthermore, insurance companies no longer cover the cost of repairs. As he depends on the machine for survival, Alexander must bear the expenses out-of-pocket.
Have you ever witnessed an iron lung in action? Nowadays, hospitals prefer modern respirators over these devices. Nevertheless, the iron lung deserves recognition for saving the lives of many children who contracted polio in the 20th century. Can you think of any other medical inventions that have had a significant impact on the world?
Give It a Try
Are you ready to continue learning? Engage in the following activities with the assistance of a friend or family member.
- Imagine that it is the late 1940s and you have been given the responsibility of educating doctors and nurses about the iron lung. Create an advertisement that summarizes the key points from today’s Wonder. Who will benefit from the iron lung? How does it function? Ensure that your advertisement captures attention and provides accurate information to medical professionals.
- Further explore the topic of polio and other epidemics that have impacted the United States and the world. How do these events compare to your own experience with the COVID-19 pandemic? Identify the similarities and differences and share your thoughts with a friend or family member.
- Feeling up for a challenge? Read a firsthand account from a polio survivor who relied on the iron lung. What aspects of their description stand out to you? What unanswered questions do you have? Discuss your findings with a friend or family member.
Wonder Sources
- https://www.woodlibrarymuseum.org/museum/iron-lung/ (accessed 04 May 2021)
- https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/medicine/iron-lung (accessed 04 May 2021)
- https://www.cdc.gov/polio/what-is-polio/index.htm (accessed 04 May 2021)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xowUq7JgFeQ (accessed 04 May 2021)
- https://learnersdictionary.com/ (accessed 04 May 2021)
Leave a Reply