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Iron lung at Lourdes med01_01_0369
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Iron lung at Lourdes med01_01_0369
Sanctuary Of Our Lady Of Lourdes, Basilica Of Our Lady Of The Rosary, Lourdes, France. View of clergy passing pilgrims, including a trailer housing a patient in an iron lung, at Lourdes. The first viable iron lung was built in 1876, and throughout the early 20th century ventilators were designed to augment the work of the respiratory muscles through the use of sub-atmospheric pressure around the patients body. Photographed for the Topical Press Agency Ltd in May 1939
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Media ID 15002645
© Historic England Archive
Archive Health And Welfare Medical People Religion Religious Belief Healing Pilgrim Pilgrimage Poliomyelitis Public Square
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back to May 1939, capturing a moment in time at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. The bustling scene depicts clergy members passing by a stream of pilgrims, each seeking solace and healing within the sacred grounds. Amidst this spiritual gathering stands a trailer housing a patient confined to an iron lung. The iron lung, an invention that revolutionized respiratory care during the early 20th century, is showcased here as both a symbol of medical progress and human vulnerability. Developed in 1876, these ventilators utilized sub-atmospheric pressure to assist patients with compromised respiratory muscles. This particular image serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by individuals afflicted with poliomyelitis during that era. Norman Kingsley Harrison's skillful photography captures not only the physicality but also the profound faith present at Lourdes. It highlights how religion intertwines with health and welfare, offering hope and comfort to those who seek it most fervently. The belief in divine intervention for healing is palpable through every pixel of this historic photograph. As we gaze upon this snapshot frozen in time, we are transported into an era where religious devotion intersected with medical advancements—a testament to humanity's unwavering spirit even amidst adversity.
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