A CASE OF RESPIRATORY FAILURE SUCCESSFULLY TREATED IN THE DRINKER RESPIRATOR

Abstract

In a recent article, Drinker and McKhann1described an apparatus for the prolonged administration of artificial respiration. They reported the case of an 8 year old girl suffering from acute anterior poliomyelitis with respiratory paralysis, who was kept alive for 122 hours. Death occurred as a result of cardiac failure. We submit a case treated successfully with the Drinker respirator. REPORT OF CASE A woman, aged 24, admitted to Bellevue Hospital at 3:30 p. m., May 19, 1929, had been in good health until three hours before admission, except for mild asthmatic attacks over a period of two years. The frequency of the attacks had been diminished after drainage of the left maxillary antrum. By taking three-fourths grain (50 mg.) of ephedrine twice a day she had been able to remain free from symptoms. On the morning of the day of admission she went to a closet containing many