Medicine: Breath-taking Moment

A baby named Edwin Peter Apman, of Brooklyn, did not take his first breath last week until 90 minutes after he was born. This was far better than the late Harry Houdini's record under water (three and a half minutes). The scene of Edwin's exploit was Norwegian Lutheran Deaconesses' Home and Hospital, not far from the Brooklyn Dodgers' baseball park.

Promptly at birth, an infant's life begins to depend on his doing what he has never done before. Breathing is one life process which no human being can practice before being born. In the womb there is unconscious swimming, strolling, taking it...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!