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Article Index
The Autumn Ghost: How a 1952 Polio Crisis Created the Modern ICU
In 1952, Copenhagen faced a terrifying polio outbreak. Known as the "Autumn Ghost," the virus struck 12-year-old Vivi Ebert, leaving her paralyzed and unable to breathe. Without a vaccine or access to an iron lung, doctors launched a daring medical experiment that not only saved Vivi’s life—but revolutionized critical care. This crisis led to the invention of machine-run ventilators and the birth of the modern Intensive Care Unit (ICU), changing medicine forever.
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