Use of the Tank Respirator in Overwhelming Bacterial Pneumonia

Abstract

WHEN conventional forms of treatment have proved ineffective in an illness that is rapidly progressing toward death, a successful outcome with an unconventional form of treatment is most unusual. The patient described below, who had overwhelming staphylococcal pneumonia, was moribund when placed in an Emerson tank respirator. All conventional forms of therapy had been tried and had failed. We believe that the successful use of this form of mechanical ventilation for primary bacterial pneumonia is without precedent and is worthy of report.Case ReportA 37-year-old Negro incurred an abdominal injury in an automobile accident on October 21, 1958. This . . .