THE IRON LUNG

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 May 1939, Page 7

THE IRON LUNG

EFFORT TO SAVE LIFE OF BOY PATIENT. FLIGHT FROM WELLINGTON TO AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 29. The speed of air transport and the skill of medical invention, were combined in an attempt to save the life of a six-year-old Wellington boy, Donald Nairn, who was stricken by respiratory paralysis, today. With the immediate use of an iron lung imperative, the boy was taken by aeroplane from Wellington to Auckland and within a little more than three hours after leaving Rongotai aerodrome he was placed in a mechanical respirator at Auckland Hospital. The iron lung installed at Wellington Hospital was in use and not available,; and after hasty inquiries arrangements were made to convey the patient to Auckland by air. / A. Percival Gull monoplane, piloted by Mi’ R. Morphy, left Rongotai on its long Hight at 12.35 p.m. During the trip the patient was attended by Dr. J. F. Bradbury, of the resident medical staff of Wellington Hospital and equipment for administering oxygen was also carried.

When Mangere aerodrome was reached shortly after 3 o’clock, the patient was stated to have stood up exceptionally well to the flight. Under Dr. Bradbury’s supervision the boy was transferred to a waiting ambulance and taken to hospital. Immediately following his admission he was placed in the iron lung and. though it was stated to be too early to pronounce definitely, his condition tonight was reported to be satisfactory.

The respirator has been in use at Auckland Hospital since January, 1937. when an iron lung of the Drinker type was built by the hospital engineer, Mr F. C. Jacobs. It has since been responsible for saving a number of lives in cases where there has been paralysis of the respiratory system. The hospital board, similarly to many other institutions, has also taken advantage of Lord Nuffield’s offer to supply 'iron lungs to hospitals throughout the Empire. but this equipment has not yet reached the Dominion,