Our Iron Lung is here today because of a Girl Scout project. In October of 1940, Girl Scout Troop #1 had a surplus of $5 from selling popcorn and candy at the Boy Scout Circus. Dr. M. Campbell, the father of girl scout, Eva Campbell suggested they start a fund for an Iron Lung. There was a fear of Polio and the idea of purchasing an Iron Lung likely gained legs with Eva’s mother as the scout leader. Troop #1 was sponsored by the local Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R) chapter who agreed to support the troop in their fund-raising endeavor. Noted that the D.A.R. sponsor was Mrs. Harry Strunk ensuring a fair amount of publicity.
In five months, the troop raised just over $1500, enough to purchase the Iron Lung. Looking through the news accounts, donations were received from as far east as Orleans, Nebraska, as far west as the Colorado State line, and Oberlin Kansas to the south. A March of Coins campaign had organizations recording donations of $2.25, $1.50 and $.50 all adding up to a final count of $1,529.46. Just enough to pay for the Iron Lung with money left over for insurance, supplies, and a custom-built case for storage. The Iron Lung cost $1,500 with the Girl Scouts paying slightly less, having received a $30 discount for paying cash. In today’s money the cost would be just over $31,000.
“The appliance is light in weight (385 lbs.) and is designed to fit in a cabin plane for quick transportation.”
From the newspaper of the day: “The appliance selected (this one) was known as the American Iron Lung and was stated to be the most modern of these appliances. While designed primarily for the treatment of infantile paralysis (Polio), it is used also in cases of asphyxiation, monoxide poisoning, drowning and to a certain extent in the reviving of newborn babies. The appliance is light in weight (385 lbs.) and is designed to fit in a cabin plane for quick transportation. It is designed for electric current but may also be operated by hand power and can be put into use in any community and under almost any condition. It is a restful shade of light green, baked enamel, is finely designed and attractive in appearance. It is expected that the Iron Lung will remain under the sponsorship of the local D.A.R. chapter but will be available to any physician in the territory.”
For its unveiling, it sat directly across the street in the window of the Nebraska Light & Power Co. building (which is the building between the Fox theater and the old Gazette building). Its destination was to be the Red Willow County Court House, a central location where it would sit in its custom case ready to be called into action. It was hand delivered by the manufacturer who provided training in its use. We have letters in the office where the delivery date was negotiated to accommodate other deliveries in the state. Two physicians were initially trained in the operation and they in turn trained other local doctors as requested. The Iron Lung was to be made available to anyone who needed it free of charge.
Only 2 recorded uses
I found just two cases where this Iron Lung was put into use. In September of 1941, the lung was transported to south McCook to the home of Dean Ruby, who was 10 at the time and credited with saving his life. Dean lived well into adulthood. McCook authorities were called several times in the next few years to stand by with the iron lung, but most of the requests were later cancelled. The last time it was used was at the McCook Army Air Base for a soldier who had suffered severe electrical shock. A truck was sent in for the iron lung and Dr. G.L. Montgomery, who had experience with the equipment, accompanied it to the base. Unfortunately, the young man died.
In 1971 the High Plains Historical Society received the gift of this Iron Lung. It had sat for 30 years across the street at the Red Willow County Courthouse. The decision to give it to the Museum was made when the County Commissioners decided to remodel a portion of the assembly room to build an office. The introduction of the Polio vaccine made the Iron Lung no longer needed. Although, Sister Paschala, who was the administrator of St. Catherine’s at that time, believed it still had a useful purpose, noting there is no machine that could be called a replacement for the iron lung.
I wanted to know when use of the Iron Lung was discontinued and found that as of July 2024 there is still one person alive today who continues to live in an Iron Lung. Martha Lillard contracted Polio in 1953 at the age of 6. At 72 she continues to use an iron lung to help her breathe. There is another person who passed away in March 2024. From his obituary: “He spent his life in an iron lung, but that didn’t stop Paul Alexander from achieving some truly incredible things. Paul contracted polio when he was just six years old, doctors didn’t think he would live to see his teenage years. But he defied all expectations. Paul became a lawyer, wrote a memoir, and broke a world record, all while dealing with the debilitating impacts of polio that left him dependent on an iron lung. He passed away in March at the age of 78, leaving behind an inspirational legacy.”
See more about Paul Alexaner here https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=iron%20lung
Today, the Iron Lung sparks a lot of conversation and is a big part of our medical history. We are happy to have this machine and knowledge of its purpose to be able to tell its story.