Remembering History: Polio patients in iron lungs - 1952; At its peak in 1952, more than 21,000 Americans contracted a paralyzing form of polio, and 3,000 died from it. Once infected, there was no treatment besides time and tending to the symptoms. Unable to breathe, patients entered iron lungs, which made use of negative pressure ventilation -- a continual displacing and replacing the air inside of the machine -- to compress and depress the chest, simulating respiration.

Polio patients in iron lungs - 1952; At its peak in 1952, more than 21,000 Americans contracted a paralyzing form of polio, and 3,000 died from it. Once infected, there was no treatment besides time and tending to the symptoms. Unable to breathe, patients entered iron lungs, which made use of negative pressure ventilation -- a continual displacing and replacing the air inside of the machine -- to compress and depress the chest, simulating respiration.

Polio patients in iron lungs - 1952; At its peak in 1952, more than 21,000 Americans contracted a paralyzing form of polio, and 3,000 died from it. Once infected, there was no treatment besides time and tending to the symptoms. Unable to breathe, patients entered iron lungs, which made use of negative pressure ventilation -- a continual displacing and replacing the air inside of the machine -- to compress and depress the chest, simulating respiration.