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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

To the Editor: In his Contempo Updates article about noninvasive ventilation (NIV), Dr Brochard¹ only briefly mentioned negative-pressure ventilators, the best known of which was the Drinker respirator, also called the iron lung.

The use of this whole-body ventilator subsided with the advent of the positive-pressure ventilator. Although not physiological, it had several advantages: small size, simplicity of operation, and small dedicated floor space. It also facilitated physical access to the patient, allowing closer attention to wounds, pressure points, various catheters, intravenous injections, and bedclothes.

Nonetheless, whole-body negative-pressure ventilation (NPV) has several advantages. It is vastly superior in patient comfort. It is physiological. The patient is able to communicate verbally and needs no sedation relative to the ventilator itself and its operation. Patients on this machine do not deteriorate because of competitive respiratory efforts even though there is no demand feature. The machine with its large capacity readily and comfortably . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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