Premature Science and Immature Lungs

Abstract

In Part 1, an account was given of the discovery of surface forces by Laplace and by Young (1805-1806) and of its 1st application to the lung by Von Neergaard in 1929. Part 2 told some highlights of the rediscovery of surface forces, the discovery of pulmonary surfactant and of its unique properties, and the finding that the lungs of babies who died of respiratory distress syndrome (hyaline membrane disease) lacked this remarkable substance; part 2 dealt largely with the work of Radford, Pattle, Clements, Avery and Mead. Part 3 tells of the multidisciplinary attack on immature lungs; it concludes the series.