1901 Statistics show that only about 25 per cent of the infants prematurely or weakly born live ordinarily, but by means of the baby incubator of to-day the lives of about 85 per cent are saved. The baby incubator exhibited at the Pan-American Exposition is in a special building on the Mall near one of the entrance gates, and while it is in the nature of a concession, or in other words an exhibit, it has proved to be of great interest to visitors. In a large room, well-lighted, are a dozen incubators, each of which consists of a glass case in a metal frame, and supported on metal legs. In each is a small woven-wire cot carefully padded.
Fresh air is admitted by a large pipe from outside the building.
The air passes first through an antiseptic fluid which destroys any germs that may be lurking in it. It also passes through cotton, which filters out any physical impurities. The air is then warmed and is finally introduced into the chamber where the baby lies. A pan of warm water keeps the atmosphere humid and the amount of moisture is registered by a small hygrometer at one side of the incubator. The air enters at the bottom of the case, strikes a shield below the cot and is deflected downward until it meets the warm current of air heated by a Bunsen burner placed outside the case.