title: [Reconstruction of an ancient Egytian mouth-opening device. As early as 5000 years ago artificial respiration was basically possible].
abstract: Reproduction of an ancient Egyptian mouth-opening device raises certain technological and historical questions. The most effective variation has proven to be a device made of strip iron built exactly according to the proportions given in the Hunefer papyrus. This device allows quick and safe intubation of intubation dummy CLA 8 without a supplementary light source. Originally, the device was a metal instrument made of meteoric iron, apparently produced only in small numbers. To data, the form of production remains a mystery, since the smelting and processing of iron was totally uncommon in ancient Egypt. Based on the material structure of the device and certain portrayals in graves in Deir el-Medina, mouth-opening as it was actually performed reveals a methodology that can be reconciled with modern pre-clinical polytrauma management. In principle, this indicates that the introduction of artificial respiration thousands of years ago would have been possible.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Anaesthesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin, St. Gertrauden Krankenhaus Berlin.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ocklitz
mesh_terms: D000076144:Egypt, Ancient; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000266:history; D008669:Metallurgy / Q000266:history; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000266:history* / Q000295:instrumentation
chemical_list: D007501:Iron