How Does Iron Lung Relate to Polio Disease?
The iron lung is a piece of medical equipment used between the mid 1920s until the 1980s as a treatment for polio. The function of the iron lung was as a mechanical respirator mainly in the treatment of individuals whose lung functions were hampered by polio, which caused paralysis of the chest muscles. During a 30-year period in American history, iron lungs were commonly seen in hospitals around the country. Today, vaccinations against polio have reduced the need for such machines and protect millions against the infectious disease.
