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Northland Medical Museum: pneumothorax machines
Artificial pneumothorax machines and the development of a treatment for Tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB) was prevalent throughout New Zealand in the early 1900s and as the highly contagious disease infected lungs across Aotearoa, a range of treatment options were developed to halt the spread. TB, also known as the white plague, was a worldwide problem, occurring mostly in young people and rampant in highly populated and low socio-economic areas. It was named the white plague due to the pale complexion of those infected with the disease.
While the New Zealand Department of Health and hospital boards were able to set up sanatoriums for the treatment of TB in some areas, the Northland region did not receive the benefit of such centres. The sanatoriums were run on the principles that isolating patients from the wider community and focusing on fresh air, sound nutrition, and targeted exercise would treat ‘consumptives’ and reduce the spread of TB. You can read more about the sanatorium in the Waikato region here.
Northland did not have a sanatorium, and portable pneumothorax machines like these ones at the Northland Medical Museum were necessary to treat patients. The portable pneumothorax machines pictured were acquired by the Northland Medical Museum about seven years ago. While their full provenance is unknown, it is clear they were used in the Whangārei Hospital due to the original record booklets which still accompany the machines.
Pneumothorax, also known as a collapsed lung, is caused by air getting inside the chest cavity and creating pressure against the lung(s). This caused the lung to partially or fully collapse.
The machines pictured are just some of several machines developed to treat TB after the first artificial pneumothorax machine was constructed in 1888. Treatment was carried out on patients who had one lung which showed few or no signs of TB. The machines deflated the infected lung and allowed it to heal. Pneumothorax machines were small enough to allow for transportation to a patient.
The machine pictured is similar to that of the design of Dr James Maxwell FRCP (1901-1962). This make became known as ‘Maxwell’s Box’ and consisted of a large needle which was inserted into the lung cavity, allowing air or nitrogen to be introduced (via a pump), causing the lung to collapse.
The booklets accompanying the machine at Northland Medical Museum recorded when the machine was used and how much air was pumped into each person during their treatment. It is rare for these booklets to remain with the machines, and they offer a valuable insight into the use of these devices.
These machines became obsolete as antibiotics and immunizations became more widely available.
Tuberculosis (TB) was prevalent throughout New Zealand in the early 1900s and as the highly contagious disease infected lungs across Aotearoa, a range of treatment options were developed to halt the spread, including pneumothorax machines.