A Century of Caring: The Health Sciences at the University of Iowa, 1850-1950: University Hospitals

Hospital Artifacts

Booklet Commemorating the Dedication of New General Hospital and Medical Laboratories Building
November 1928

This bulletin contains program of events, list of officials invited, description of new facilities, and a history of the medical college and its relation to medicine in Iowa. It was distributed at the dedication ceremony for the new University Hospital.

Gift of UIHC Architect's Office; MM #193

The Iron Lung

The Iron Lung was invented by Drs. Philip Drinker and Louis A. Shaw in 1928 at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. The respirator proved very successful for ventilating the patient whose respiratory system was paralyzed, and was most heavily utilized during the polio epidemic of the 1930s, 40s and 50s; it is experiencing a new life today as many polio patients seek out retrofitted machines, valued because they are non-invasive.

The Iron Lung is an airtight cylinder that accommodates the patient up to the neck, leaving the head exposed. By means of a large bellows on the underside of the cylinder, powered electrically or manually, a subatmospheric (negative) pressure is created within the cylinder. The negative pressure within the chamber is less than the pressure outside the cylinder, causing air to move into the patient's lungs-in effect, creating a breath.

The Iron Lung was eventually replaced in the late 1950s by new, more sophisticated ventilation devices which were considerably smaller and quieter, and permitted easier access to the patient.

Fabrikators Respirator (Twin Iron Lung)
circa 1950

This Iron lung was given to Kirkwood Community College by the city of Cedar Falls, IA where it was found in an old air raid shelter under City Hall. The attached instruction sheet explains that it was once used at a VA Hospital. It was used by the Kirkwood Respiratory Therapy Technology Program to teach students how Iron Lungs work.

Gift of Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA; MM #13

Baby Bottle
circa 1920

This bottle was used at the Children's Hospital at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The formula room of the Children's Hospital prepared both standard and special infant formulas according to individual need. Vitamins and minerals were added to fortify the babies' diets, and the formulas were then bottled and sterilized. Great care was taken to keep the bacterial count under specified limits. As many as 22 different formulas were prepared to meet the dietary requirements of a population of approximately 80 infants.

With the advent of a wide variety of commercially prepared formulas, there was no longer a need for a large formula room. When the Department of Pediatrics moved into General Hospital from Children's Hospital in 1954, the formula room was replaced by a smaller unit in General Hospital.

Gift of Helen and William Byington, Iowa City; MM #168

Child's Hand Brace
circa 1955

Gift of Robert M. Collison, MD Oskaloosa, IA; 1997.21.6

Pediatric Exam Table & Scale
circa 1950

The padded surface of this examination table is also the weighing pad for the built in scale. By turning the lever on the righthand side, the physician or nurse could activate the scale mechanism. This table was used by Dr. William H. Megorden of Mt. Pleasant, IA, who had a medical practice there from 1946-1970.

Gift of Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, IA; MM #57

The reflecting head mirror and the electric head lamp competed for popularity during the first half of the 20th century. Both were important for aural and nasal diagnosis, but lost ground with the introduction of instruments which contained a small bulb powered by batteries in the handle.

Head Lamp
circa 1925

Gift of Robert M. Collison, Oskaloosa, IA; 1997.21.9

Head Mirror
circa 1918

Gift of the Estate of Dr. Frank Haven McClurg, Fairfield, IA; 1997.23.66

Percussion Hammers

1. Taylor's Percussion Hammer, circa 1910; 1997.23.64
2. Traube's Percussion Hammer, circa 1910; 1997.23.63
3. Spinal Percussion Hammer, circa 1925; MM #78

Percussion Hammers courtesy of the Estate of Dr. Frank Haven McClurg, Fairfield, IA and Dr. Craig D. Ellyson, Waterloo, IA

Tongue Depressors

1. Folding Tongue Depressor, circa 1870; MM #205
2. Folding Tongue Depressor, circa 1901; 1997.23.62
3. Self-Retaining Tongue Depressor, circa 1915; MM #204
4. Tuerck Spatula with interchangeable heads, 1881-1915; MM #206
5. Tongue Depressor, circa 1938; MM #432

Tongue Depressors courtesy of the Estate of Dr. Frank Haven McClurg, the UI College of Medicine, and Oakdale Sanatorium

Baunscheidt's Lebenswecker
1851 - 1915

Lebenswecker is German for "Life Awakener." The long handle of the hollow ebony tube contained a coiled spring which, when pushed, punctured the skin with 30 sharp needles.

This device was primarily used as a counter-irritant. According to medical theory of the time, by producing a new site of inflammation, the blood was sidetracked from diseased areas. The Lebenswecker enjoyed great popularity from the mid to late 19th century and was sold by most American surgical supply houses.

Gift of Dorothy Ressler, Williamsburg, IA; MM #96a-c

X-ray Generator Control
Standard X-Ray Company, Chicago, IL
circa 1930

X-rays exposures were set using this device.

MM #T172