[The laryngologic achievement at the Blegdam Hospital in Copenhagen during the serious epidemic of poliomyelitis 1952/53].

During the serious epidemic of poliomyelitis about 3000 cases were admitted to the Blegdam Hospital in Copenhagen. In 2.341 cases the diagnosis was verified. 1.250 cases were paralysed and 345 had more or less insufficiency of respiration. At Blegdam Hospital only one Draeger tank respirator and six cuirass respirators were available. It was necessary to try other methods of treatment. Inspired by Dr. Mogens Bjørneboe Professor, H.C.A. Lassen called for assistance from the anaesthetist Dr. Bjørn Ibsen, who proposed to make tracheotomy followed by introduction of a cuffed tracheal rubber tube and manual positive pressure respiration with Waters absorber. By this method the mortality of respiratory insufficient cases was reduced from about 87% in the first month of the epidemic to 37%. The work of the laryngologists and their nurses is described. It was a pioneer-work worth to be remembered.