IRON LUNG

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20987, 14 December 1939, Page 8

IRON LUNG

WAIKATO HOSPITAL VALUABLE NEW APPARATUS SAVING LIFE FOR FIRST TIME Likely to be the means of saving numerous lives in the Waikato, especially in the event of an epidemic of infantile paralysis, an “iron lung” has been installed at the Waikato Hospital, as the gift of Lord Nuffield, of England. Although best known in colloquial language as an “iron lung,” the apparatus is more precisely known as a cabinet respirator. By whatever name it is called, its efficiency is undoubted. The apparatus was installed at the Waikato Hospital this week. It was acquired through the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr W. J. Jordan, from Lord Nuffield, who had offered the apparatus to any hospital in the British Empire free of cost. The Waikato Hospital is one of the first institutions in New Zealand to benefit from the scheme. The machine, which is British made, would cost approximately £3OO landed in New Zealand, but the hospital acquired it, complete with electric motor and all minor equipment for installation, absolutely free of cost. Paralysis of Chest Although there is practically only one task the “iron lung” can perform, its value is undoubted. In fact for paralysis of the chest muscles in cases of infantile paralysis, it would be impossible to save life if the apparatus were not available immediately. Although not likely to be used often, the machine will be invaluable in time of emergency. Lives have been lost at the Waikato Hospital on previous occasions which could have been saved had a cabinet respirator been available. In the most recent epidemic of 1937 one or two lives were lost in the Waikato as a result of chest paralysis. In the last ten years, however, only about three or four deaths have resulted in the Waikato from chest paralysis. Dr. R. S. A. Graham, director of surgery at the Waikato Hospital, stated to-day that on the average epidemics of infantile paralysis occurred every seven years.

During such times the cabinet respirator might become invaluable. In the intervening time it might remain unused for long periods. It could be expected that the apparatus would be used more for child cases, although it was adaptable to persons of all ages. Value to the District Simple in construction, yet invaluable in use; of comparatively rare need, yet without substitute; and a machine which, to be of value, must be available on the spot immediately a case of chest paralysis is detected, the cabinet respirator was described by Dr Graham. In construction the apparatus is very simple. It is a cabinet on wheels, of proportions which would accommodate an adult patient. A rubber bellows, driven by a electric motor, pumps and sucks air to and from the cabinet to produce exactly the same effect as artificial respiration. The interior of the cabinet, fn the form of a stretcher bed, draws out. The patient is placed upon it and the bed is pushed back into the cabinet, and locked air tight. The head remains out, lying upon a pillow, and a rubber collar around the neck ensures that the cabinet remains air tight. The motor is then set in motion and operates the bellows. Apparatus at Wort In cases of chest paralysis the patient loses ability to breath. Artificial respiration keeps him alive until the paralysis passes and the muscles are able to resume their normal functions. It may be necessary to keep a patient in the iron lung as long as six weeks, although longer periods have been known. It is possible to allow the patient out of the cabinet for short periods up to 15 minutes, although breathing would become laboured. As he recovers the periods outside the lung may become longer. Throughout the application the patient is conscious. The person in the lung can be fed as the head remains outside the cabinet, an# it is possible to place a book above the head so that reading ran be enjoyed. Temperatures inside the cabinei and the pressure of respiration can be regulated by valves. Through a window in the top of tne fcabinet the patient can be observed, while an opening in the side allows a nurse to place a hand inside to take the pulse or adjust bedding withe ut disturbing the suction. Nurses at the Waikato Hospital have already been instructed in the use of the cabinet and the treatment of patients for whom it is available, despite the fact that it has been installed only a few days. With the exception of chest paralysis the only cases for which the lung would be useful would be some types of poisoning. The Waikato Hospital Board decided today to convey its appreciation of the gift to the donor, Lord Nuffield.