Artificial respiration.

Opening intertitle; Various types of apparatus are available for artificially ventilating the lungs in cases of respiratory failure from any cause. This film illustrates the principles involved. The mechanism of a drinker respirator or iron lung is shown with a patient in a working iron lung. A man demonstrates the rubber collar, which he puts around his neck. The patient watches by means of a mirror so that she can observe the demonstration. Her bedding is adjusted and a bed pan removed by a side port. Next a Both respirator is shown (a modification of the drinker model above). This also has side portholes for access to the patient. The next model is a Paul-Bragg pulsator; the chest is rhythmically subjected to positive pressure; the patient is not enclosed, instead he lies in an upright position. There are clear shots of the patient s chest rising and falling as well as the operation of the machine. Next a Burstall respirator is shown; the chest is rhythmically subjected to negative pressure. An unconscious and possibly paralysed youth is shown being fitted with what looks like a cross between medieval armour and something from Flash Gordon. Operation is by means of a foot pump. Next a Biomotor respirator is shown; the abdomen is subjected alternatively to negative and positive pressure. The patient has what looks like a space helmet placed on his abdomen to force respiration. The operation of the equipment is briefly shown by means of a line animation. The equipment is shown in detail. Next methods depending on the varying posture of the patient are shown; 1. The rocker (a stretcher with a central pivot). A patient (bizarrely) laying face down on the floor is picked up and placed in the contraption. 2. The barrel. An unconscious patient is placed on a barrel in order to demonstrate this method. 3. The sling. Methods depending on the inflation of the lungs with oxygen under pressure are shown. 1. The McKesson respirator. A portable case on castors is shown holding canisters of oxygen. The patient laying on the floor is readily masked. 2. Oxford respirator shown. Oxford bellows are attached to a tube and they are inflated. A man demonstrates the use of the mask, then it is shown being used on a patient.