Iron lung

The iron lung is a medical device that is used to help people who cannot breathe on their own. It is a large, metal chamber that is placed over the patient's body. The chamber is sealed around the neck, and the patient's head is outside of the chamber.

The iron lung works by creating a vacuum inside the chamber. This vacuum helps to draw air into the patient's lungs. The patient can breathe in and out through a tube that is connected to the chamber.

The iron lung was invented in the early 1900s. It was originally used to treat patients with polio. Polio is a virus that can cause paralysis, including paralysis of the muscles that are used for breathing. The iron lung helped to keep these patients alive until they were able to breathe on their own.

The iron lung is still used today, but it is not as common as it once was. Most patients who need help breathing now use a ventilator. A ventilator is a smaller device that is placed over the patient's nose and mouth. Ventilators are more comfortable for patients than iron lungs, and they are also more portable.

Here are some interesting facts about the iron lung:

The first iron lung was invented by a doctor named Philip Drinker in 1928.
The iron lung was originally known as the " Drinker respirator."
The iron lung was used to treat patients with polio during the polio epidemics of the 1940s and 1950s.
The iron lung is still used today, but it is not as common as it once was.
Most patients who need help breathing now use a ventilator.

The iron lung is a fascinating medical device that has helped to save the lives of many people. It is a reminder of the progress that has been made in the medical field over the past century.