Respiratory Therapy History

Respiratory therapies are described since the beginning of written language.  The Ancient Egyptians describe inhaling fumes of herbs on heated bricks, and in ancient Indian authors describe inhaling herbs burned in crude pipes.  By the early 19th century burning such herbs in cigars and pipes becomes a common remedy for asthma, and by the late 19th century asthma cigarettes are introduced.  Crude nebulizers and inhalers are available in the 19th century, but are never mass produced until the 1930s when electricity becomes available.  Most of the first nebulizers are expensive and fragile, yet as we travel to the late 20th century they decrease in price, are made of disposable plastic, and become readily available for anyone with a lung disease.  Oxygen is first introduced in the 18th century, some crude devices were available to administer oxygen therapeutically during the 19th century,  and by 1920 an oxygen revolution of sorts occurs.  By the 1940s there are a variety of respiratory therapy equipment, and managing it becomes overwhelming for doctors and nurses, and by the 1940s a profession of inhalation therapists is born.  At first strong, male orderlies and nurses aides are trained to lug huge tanks and iron lungs around, setting them up for various patients, and taking care of them.  This profession matures into the respiratory care profession.  \

Now let's journey back, way back, to the beginning...

Respiratory Therapy History:
(Dates denote when the post will be published.)
Hungry for more?
  1. drgrespiratory.com (Dennis Glover wrote the History of Respiratory Therapy and provides some awesome pictures from the history of respiratory therapy)
  2. inhalatorium (Mark Sanders has a unique collection of antique inhalers, nebulizers and  has shared his collection with us on his website.  Check it out!
  3. See any of the links on any of the above posts

3 comments:

  1. The history of RT is a chronicle of entrepenureship. The only reason the profession exist is that some smart people figured out that one could make a huge profits by providing these services to patients. It took hospital administrators 10-15 years to figure out the impact of Medicare--it took the RT's about 5 years. There was a time when no one knew what RT's did--now everyone thinks they can do it better.

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  2. Really helpful article for asthmatic.. We would love to share it to our friend whom their kids have asthma... Asthma need more attention for parents who have kids with asthma

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  3. Some patients whom you may view on a daily basis may have symptoms such as lung problems or asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.http://techniciansalary.net/respiratory-therapist-salary/. Click here

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