Iron Lung Death

A recent death in the United States has sparked interest in South Africa about the iron lung, a medical device used to help people breathe. The last American to use an iron lung has died at the age of 78.

The woman, who was from Oklahoma, had been using the iron lung since she was a child after being diagnosed with polio. Her life was closely tied to the 1940s machine that kept her breathing for decades.

What is an iron lung?

An iron lung is a medical device that helps people breathe, particularly those with respiratory problems. The recent death of the last American iron lung user has led to increased searches in South Africa about this device and its history.