iron lung
Cylindrical breathing machine
An iron lung is a large mechanical respirator that encases the patient's body below the neck, using air pressure changes to force breathing.
Iron lungs kept polio victims alive when the disease paralyzed their respiratory muscles: She spent months in an iron lung before recovering.
The devices became iconic images of the mid-twentieth-century polio epidemics and are now largely obsolete, replaced by modern ventilators.
Paralysis-causing viral infection
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
- SalkPolio vaccine creator
- post-polio syndromeLate deterioration after childhood paralysis
Jonas Salk · vaccine · rehabilitation · muscle weakness · paralytic · March of Dimes · quarantine · outbreak
Circular-based solid form
- bellowsHandheld device forcing air
- pressure chamberEnclosed space with altered atmosphere
- collarNeck encirclement
- sealAuthentication stamp or mark
Decade after WWII
- hospital wardTreatment division in clinic
- rowsSide-by-side sequences
- photographImage from a camera
- obsoleteNo longer in use
museum · Smithsonian · medical history · vintage · archival · newsreel · public health · eradication
Gas exchange in organisms
- ventilationCirculation of fresh air
- artificial respirationMechanically induced breathing
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
- inhalationTaking breath in
exhalation · oxygenation · negative pressure · paralyzed · breathe · chest cavity · respiratory failure · airway
One still alive after
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- long-termLasting extended period
decades · homebound · caregiver · determination · living · independence · adapted · quality of life
poliomyelitis
Paralysis-causing viral infection
Jonas Salk · post-polio syndrome · vaccine · rehabilitation · muscle weakness · paralytic · March of Dimes · quarantine · outbreak · immunization
cylinder
Circular-based solid form
- bellowsHandheld device forcing air
- pressure chamberEnclosed space with altered atmosphere
- collarNeck encirclement
seal · pump · cabinet · porthole · mirror · motorized · cuirass
1950s
Decade after WWII
- hospital wardTreatment division in clinic
- rowsSide-by-side sequences
- photographImage from a camera
obsolete · museum · Smithsonian · medical history · vintage · archival · newsreel · public health · eradication · legacy
respiration
Gas exchange in organisms
- ventilationCirculation of fresh air
- artificial respirationMechanically induced breathing
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
inhalation · exhalation · oxygenation · negative pressure · paralyzed · breathe · chest cavity · respiratory failure · airway · weaning
survivor
One still alive after
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
long-term · decades · homebound · caregiver · determination · living · independence · adapted · quality of life · memoir
- ironferrous, ferric, ferrite, hematite, magnetite
- Medical Advancespenicillin, vaccine, X-ray, insulin pump, pacemaker
- medical equipmentstethoscope, AED, syringe, hospital bed, surgical table
- old machinessteam engine, printing press, telegraph, typewriter, sewing machine
- Poliopolio, poliovirus, paralysis, Jonas Salk, Salk vaccine
- old medicinebloodletting, leeches, leech therapy, leeching, cupping