The history of artificial ventilation and the development of the iron lung in the USA by Drinker and his colleagues is discussed. The building and use of an iron lung by Dr R G Henderson in Aberdeen in 1933 is described. The development of other types of ventilator in the UK is recorded and the circumstances whereby positive pressure ventilation was introduced in Denmark in 1952 is outlined.
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ShawL A. , Drinker P. An apparatus for the prolonged administration of artificial respiration. II. A design for small children and infants with an appliance for the administration of oxygen and carbon dioxide. J Clin Invest, 1930; 8: 33–46.
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DrinkerPMcKhannC F. The use of a new apparatus for the prolonged administration of artificial ventilation. I. A fatal case of poliomyelitis. JAMA, 1929; 92: 1658–60.
DrinkerP. Prolonged administration of artificial respiration. Lancet, 1931; 1: 1186–88.
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Aberdeen Press and Journal. Sat. Aug 12: 1933.
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BraggW H. Bragg-Paul Pulsator. Br Med J, 1938; 2: 254.
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Breathing Machines and their use in treatment. MRC Special Report No 237. 1939; 1–90.
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Aberdeen's MOH Annual Reports 1938–39.
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Rendell-BakerLPettisJ L. The development of positive pressure ventilators in The History of Anaesthesia ed by AtkinsonR SBoultonT B. The Parthenon Publishing Group Lanes, 1989. 20. 3: 402–425.
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