Iron Lung

[bodeker]

A question for the older members , was the Iron Lung which I believe was used for Polio used for any other kind of illnesses ?

[jno]

apparently a few

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_lung

[Buenchico]

There are web references to it being used for other conditions. e.g. botulism:
https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19452701855

[woofgang]

I think anything where the mechanism for breathing failed but the respiratory system was otherwise undamaged.

[bednobs]

Christoher reeves for example had a portable one

[Tilly2]

Not an answer to your question but the Iron Lung terrified me, as a child.

[Peter Pedant]

// The use of iron lungs is largely obsolete in modern medicine, as more modern breathing therapies have been developed//

I have never seen one - - - they werent that good - inhalation of saliva was a problem ( and cause of death)- standard ventilation - which was used in the fifties as well had just about taken over

[Peter Pedant]

// Christoher reeves for example had a portable one//
sounds like a cuirass ventilator

[bednobs]

yes i think so

[bodeker]

Thank you for all your answers. From what has been said it seems to be only breathing problems. I asked as I have a memory from a young age 6 or 7 of being in a lung machine but makes no sense to me. I remember breaking my leg at that age falling off a wood pile at my Grans farm in Germany and I was transferred to London Army Hospital by small plane which a engine went on fire by the way ! Anyway I spent 6 months in hospital getting leg fixed apparently I had a large hole in my thigh bone and was only told over the years it was cancer. Later I decided it was Osteomyelitis. Both my parents are now dead so cannot quiz them but this memory of a Iron lung keeps coming back , but I can only assume it is a false memory or maybe a X ray machine , did not like it anyway . Thank you again for your answers.

[Sqad]

It would almost certainly have been a leg traction frame, the name of which eludes me (Wolfgang will know) and the "hole" would certainly be due to Osteomyelitis.

[Sqad]

Just remembered it was called a Thomas Splint.

[bodeker]

Thank you Sqad.