Children in iron lung (1937) before the advent of the polio vaccine. The iron lung is a mechanical respirator that enables a person to breathe when muscle control is lost.
In the first half of the 20th century, polio was the leading cause of death in children and young adults. In extreme cases, the virus can cause spinal and respiratory paralysis, making it impossible to breathe. The iron lung saved countless lives. #vaccines #histmed #medhist #histodons #history #MedMastodon #ScienceMastodon
@DrLindseyFitzharris I saw an article somewhere, that there is still one person using an Iron Lung. Although there are less restrictive alternatives available, he refused, because he spent all his life in one (he is in his 70s) and felt comfortable with it.
I don't remember where I saw that article, though.
@Gremriel @DrLindseyFitzharris
Thanks to both, that was an interesting read.
