Research

A dip into the history of lung treatments through the ages

Lung conditions have been treated in many ways over the centuries. Some old-fashioned treatments have laid the foundations for the modern treatments we use today (such as the nebuliser pictured), while others have done more harm than good. This blog is going to delve into the past and explore some of these old-fashioned treatments. Please do bear in mind that some of the treatments explored in this article are not recommended for use today.

Isabella Taylor, Social media team, Asthma + Lung UK
Published 7th April 2022

Inhalers and nebulisers

Bird-type inhaler

If you were struggling with symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, or a chest infection in the Victorian era your local chemist might suggest one of these medicinal pipes. Pipes like this example from 1869 were regularly recommended to treat breathlessness. Alternatively, you might pick up a packet of asthma cigarettes or cigars which were still being prescribed by doctors well into the 20th century! Thankfully we now know that smoking is a leading cause of lung disease and can trigger people with asthma and other lung conditions to have asthma attacks and flare ups. 

A vintage medical inhalation pipe set, including Mr. Bird's Registered Medical Pipe, felt sponges, and medicinal containers for treating respiratory conditions

Bird-type inhaler with accessories, United Kingdom, 1869. Science Museum, London. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Nelson-type inhaler

As well as cigarettes, cigars and pipes, Victorians treated breathing difficulties with inhalers such as this one. These inhalers were recommended to treat all kinds of lung conditions and were widely available from most local chemists. Boiling water could be mixed with medicines and the steam inhaled through the spout at the top. 

Antique ceramic inhaler with a glass mouthpiece and cork stopper, used for respiratory treatments

Nelson-type inhaler, London, England, 1870-1901. Science Museum, London. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Therapeutic inhaler

By the 1930s, devices like this therapeutic inhaler were being used to treat conditions like asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough and croup. The face mask was held over the nose and mouth while breathing in medication. The motorised pump also circulated oxygen up the tube to the face mask.

Vintage medical respirator with a black mask, rubber tubing, and a motorised pump, used for respiratory therapy
Therapeutic inhaler, London, England, 1935-1942. Science Museum, London. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Asthma inhaler

If you were born before the 1960s, you might remember squeeze bulb inhalers like this one, which were available on the National Health Service for people with asthma. The mechanism worked like an old-fashioned perfume spray bottle. Treatments were placed in the rubber bulb and when the bulb was squeezed, a fine spray was created, which was breathed in through a mouthpiece or nose piece. 

Vintage Rybar pocket inhaler with a black rubber bulb and nozzle, used for fine mist medication delivery
Asthma inhaler, Tankerton, England, 1930-1960. Science Museum, London. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Metered dose inhaler (MDI)

This type of inhaler was gradually replaced by the metered dose inhaler (MDI), which was invented in 1956 by Dr. George Maison. Purportedly the invention was inspired by his 13-year-old daughter who asked why she couldn’t have her asthma medication in a spray can ‘like hairspray’. The metered dose inhaler is still used today by people with asthma and other lung conditions, along with breath-actuated inhalers (BAIs),dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and fine mist inhalers.

A woman using an inhaler with a transparent spacer

Spirometry

One of the methods doctors use to test how well a person’s lungs are working is spirometry. Spirometers, which are used to measure how much air you can breathe in and out of your lungs, were invented as far back as 1840. Although they looked a bit different to the modern version your GP might use today!

Portable spirometer

In this Victorian example of a portable spirometer, the patient would breathe into the rubber tube. The breath would pass into a water-filled glass, where the bubbles would push up a sliding weight. An attached scale then showed how much air they could fit in their lungs.

A vintage spirometer with tubes and a wooden storage box, used for measuring lung capacity
Lowne portable spirometer, London, England, 1880-1890. Science Museum, London. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Modern spirometers

Modern spirometers are much more accurate and can also measure how fast you can blow air out of your lungs.

Advancements in treatments for lung conditions have improved greatly in the last 150 years and we are proud to have played our part by funding world leading research in labs across the UK. Despite these advancements research into lung disease is still extremely underfunded and we need your support to allow us to continue finding new ways to prevent, treat and cure lung conditions.

You can find out more about the research we currently fund.

A man undergoing a spirometry test in a clinical setting, using a mouthpiece connected to a computer

References

Wellcome Collection, n.d. Collections. [online] Available at: https://wellcomecollection.org/collections [Accessed 15 January 2022].

Science Museum, n.d. Official website. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk [Accessed 12 January 2022].

Bisgaard, H., O'Callaghan, C. and Smaldone, G., 2022. Drug Delivery to the Lung. [online] Google Books. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=F-7d9VzxMGYC&dq=George+Maison,+President+of+Riker+Laboratories&source=gbs_navlinks_s [Accessed 14 January 2022].