Talaxian lungs are directly linked to multiple points along their spinal column, making them complex organs that are impossible to replicate. Under normal circumstances, lung transplants between many species, including Bajorans, Vulcans, Humans and Ocampa, are not possible.
The Talaxians were engaged in a war with the Haakonians from around 2346 to 2356, when the Talaxians were forced to surrender following the detonation of a Metreon Cascade device on the Talaxian moon Rinax, forcing Talax to surrender the next day. During this war it was required that all Talaxians capable of serving in the military do so or face the penalty of execution.
USS Voyager visited the Talax system in 2371 so that Haakonian scientists Ma'bor Jetrel, inventor of the Metreon Cascade, could do research on a possible cure for metremia, a condition that had resulted from the detonation of the Metreon Cascade. During the Talaxian/Haakonian War a battle was fought at Pyrinthian Gorge, a battle that Voyager passenger Neelix claimed to have participated in. It was only after his meeting with Jetrel that Neelix eventually admitted that he had not fought at the battle but had hidden in order to avoid serving his required time in the Talaxian military.
The Talaxians were designated by the Borg (Seven of Nine) as "Species 218", "A small freighter, containing a crew of 39 taken in the Dalmine sector. They were easily assimilated. Their dense musculature made them excellent drones."