1,846 Comments for Linton State Hospital

Stephen J There are a handful of people.

Are there still people in iron lungs in 2006--or have the patients been brought over to the ventilator, similar to what Christopher Reeves was on.

Do an Ebay search on "Quack medecine" or something similar, there are alot of antique "quack" medical items for sale, such as "voilet Ray" machines..search that too), and HOME elctro shock devices. They are usually wooden boxes, very plain, with terminals, a sponge and room for an old dry cell battery... for instance:

http://search.ebay.com...mp;fsop=1&fsoo=1

Henry, you are so danged cool! It's great to have a "resource" like you!
:-)

Hi Jerry they make a clothe one. I use this kind cause I had the same issue with the plastic ones. E-mail me and I'll see what I can do. garfieldhen34@hotmail.com

I saw one of these when I was about 10 years old, it was in operation, & it shocked me. Here I am 47 years later, been through a war and a quarter-centruy student of the martial arts, & I still get shock waves up & down my spine. I believe they weigh about 600 pounds--I understand there are around 50 people still using iron lungs (the more portable ventilator has replaced them) and I read about a year ago that they do not make replacement parts for them anymore. I used to complain that I am not in the shape I used to be and the racquetball game is getting slower...I just stopped complaining! Case closed! BTW your photography not only captures an image, but also the emotion. Kudos.

Lighting isnt the same in the entire room. Im sure motts is Honest enough not to play tricks like that. and anyways it seems real as can be.

The connecting linkages from the gearbox to the two layer bellows were
modified chevy front end steering parts.
The cupped bearing halves, tension springs, and tapered ball joints were difficult to find until I found "chev's of the 40's.com. who knew what I was needing and repeatedly called me over the next two and a half years to update me on their progress of finding the three ball joints needed for my friend's lung.
Unexpected wold class service fo these days and times. kudos to Chev's!

All of the collars on the iron lungs so far have been the spiral type. were there no latex foam collars with the five leather straps that held them open?
Some patients, like my friend, would be choked by the plastic spiral collar before an effective seal could be achieved and could only use the foam ones, buffered by a diaper cloth to prevent chafing, sores, or even the foam from actually growing into the skin.
I mentioned under another picture that I'm modifying her "collar buster" to open and close a spiral unit. That one now has a new fleece fabric over an inner liner to get a good seal and be comfortable as well.

Yes - a good photographer HAS balls.

P.S.
Her lung is covered with mementos and memorabilia of her life. I could'nt find a "Star Fleet " life support technitians badge at the last Trek convention in OKC, but she thougt the shuttle pilot's badge appropriate.

I have a friend in her fifties who must sleep in a lung. Her's was modified by her father and uncle so that she can push a switch and roll the cot in and out, and another switch to spread the foam collar open or release it so that she can get in and out by herself.
It is a fairly simple construction and wirining project for someone in the mechanical trades. I'm in the process of modifying the "collar buster" device to operate the spiral type collar since the foam ones are no longer available.

Feels like I used to live here

maybe the red hose is for draining the blood from the body?

ive never seen anything like it . What is it? does anybody know