Steel lung, Brompton Hospital

Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library

Steel lung, Brompton Hospital

Steel Lung at the Brompton hospital in London. Also known as a tank ventilator, iron lung or Drinker tank, is a type of negative pressure ventilator; a mechanical respirator which encloses most of a person's body, and varies the air pressure in the enclosed space, to stimulate breathing. Date: 1925

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 32251848

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Doctors Drinker Engineering Iron Lung Mechanical Medics Tanker Treatment Ventilator

FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Hospitals

> Mary Evans Prints Online > New Images July 2023

EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the Steel Lung, a groundbreaking medical device used at the Brompton Hospital in London during the 1920s. Also known as a tank ventilator, iron lung, or Drinker tank, this negative pressure ventilator was a mechanical respirator that revolutionized the treatment of polio and other respiratory conditions. The Steel Lung enclosed most of a patient's body and varied the air pressure in the enclosed space to stimulate breathing. The invention of the Steel Lung marked a significant milestone in medical history, as it offered hope to thousands of people suffering from polio and other respiratory ailments. Before its introduction, these conditions were often fatal, but the Steel Lung provided a means of artificial respiration, allowing patients to breathe when their own respiratory muscles were unable to function. The Steel Lung was a marvel of engineering and modern medical technology. Doctors and medics worked tirelessly to operate these machines, providing a lifeline to their patients. The image shows the intricate details of the Steel Lung's design, with the patient's body partially submerged in the tank, connected to various tubes and machinery. The Steel Lung's bulky and imposing appearance may seem outdated by today's standards, but it represents a crucial turning point in the history of medical treatment. This photograph, taken in 1925, offers a glimpse into the past, reminding us of the remarkable progress that has been made in medical technology over the past century. The Steel Lung may no longer be in use, but its legacy lives on, inspiring innovation and advancing the field of medicine.

MADE IN THE UK
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools

SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you

* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Basket.