LUNG, IRON
[Medical & Psychological Tools and Equipment]
Accession Number: 1992.24.0
Physical Description: Cylindrical metal electrical respirator, or iron lung, manufactured by the J. H. Emerson Company of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The machine forces a patient's lungs to inhale and exhale through changes in air pressure. Iron lungs were commonly used to help polio sufferers breath. This iron lung was used at the Veteran's Administration hospital in Topeka, Kansas, in the 1950s and 1960s.
History of Object: This iron lung machine was put into service in 1957 at an original cost of $1620.00. The machine was purchased from the V.A. Hospital of Topeka by Munns Medical Supply Co. in 1969 for approx. $1600.00. Clarence G. Munns owned the company from 1946 to 1987. Mr. Munns was a native of Hoisington, KS. Munns Medical Supply was a medical retail/wholesale company, which sold equipment to doctors, nurses, hospitals and nursing homes. In 1987, the company went out of business and the principals re-incorporated as Med Ventures, Inc., which was primarily a surplus distributor and exporter.
Date: 1957
Dimensions (in cm): 254.00 (H) 152.40 (W) 81.30 (D)
Marks/Inscriptions: [on the maker?s plate] EMERSON RESPIRATOR / MODEL NO. / C / MADE IN USA / SERIAL NO. / Z32 / U.S. PATENT NO. 2060706 / DESINGED AND MANUFACTURED BY THE ORGINATORS / OF THE MODERN DIAPHRAGM TYPE OF / ?IRON LUNG? / J.H. EMERSON CO. / 22 COTTAGE PARK AVENUE, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS. //
Index Terms
Associations and Subjects
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Theme/topic: Poliomyelitis
Origin, Place of: Cambridge (Mass.)
Individual: Munns, Clarence G.
Use, Place of: Shawnee County (Kan.)
Use, Place of: Topeka (Kan.)
Business / Organization: Veterans Administration Hospital (Topeka, Kan.)
Business / Organization: Munns Medical Supply Company
Creators and Contributors
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J.H. Emerson Co.
Status: Cataloged
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