Last Beach DayFifty years ago, millions had their prayers answered. In April 1955, it was announced that Dr. Jonas Salk had perfected a vaccine effective in preventing polio.

It was an important announcement. Polio (infantile paralysis) had crippled and killed thousands every summer. Fifty-eight thousand Americans – mostly children – contracted the disease in 1952. Of the 58,000, many never walked again, some were crippled for life and others died.

Many readers in their mid-50s or older will remember the fear that came with warm weather, especially once someone in the neighborhood, usually a child or young teen, had been diagnosed. Polio struck with a randomness and suddenness that confused doctors.

Since the cause was not known, it was guessed that it was spread by cats, mosquitoes, rats, dirty water, bedbugs, ice-cream cones, flies, street dust, corn flakes, electrical disturbances, swimming pools, etc. Polio was a “clean country” disease. Children in less-developed countries were exposed to mild infections, but built antibodies.

The summer of 1916 was especially bad in New York City. By July 1st, 350 children had been stricken and 75 had died. Many 4th of July plans were cancelled, and children under age 16 were banned from any large crowd. Still, on July 5th, there were 113 new cases and 133 more on July 6th. By the end of that summer, there were 27,000 cases nation-wide and 6,000 deaths. One third of all cases were in New York City, where the future Dr. Jonas Salk turned two years old.

Those who could afford to fled the city, but the Salk family could not because Jonas’ father worked in a garment factory. Stories of summer 1916 influenced Jonas. He became a doctor and spent hiswhole career in research. He helped to develop the first flu vaccine, worked on polio from 1947-1955 and later studied multiple sclerosis and AIDS.

A local event (Ovid Gazette, 10/20/39) illustrates the suddenness of polio. At that time, Seneca County had an under-sheriff stationed at the courthouse in Ovid. On October 14, under-sheriff John Hanson was not feeling well, but was on the street. The next day, Sunday, he was worse, but seemed improved by Tuesday.

On Wednesday, he worsened suddenly and died within minutes. The diagnosis was infantile paralysis. Hanson’s casket was sealed, there was no church funeral, the courthouse was closed for two weeks and school was closed on Thursday and Friday for fear of an epidemic. It is speculation, but the sudden death may have been caused by paralysis of Hanson’s chest muscles.

Older readers will remember the sad sight of polio patients in iron lungs. A victim who could not breathe was placed in a steel and glass cylinder, his head protruding. The cylinder was rotated while a mechanical device inflated and deflated the lungs. Patients in iron lungs were sometimes displayed at the Seneca County Fair and other fairs. The public was invited to view the patient and an educational presentation and asked to make a donation to the March of Dimes.

The March of Dimes, also known as the NFIP (National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis),

was founded in 1938 by the nation’s most famous polio victim – President Franklin Roosevelt. How much was known about his paralysis has been debated. While not a secret, the press appeared to rarely show the president in a wheelchair.

Roosevelt contracted the disease in 1921. Three years later, he discovered a run-down spa in Georgia, where his paralyzed leg muscles benefited from swimming in warm, mineral waters. Roosevelt used his personal funds to develop the spa into a sanitorium for polio victims.

Vaccination had a dramatic effect. In 1956, polio cases in the U.S. dropped to about half that of 1955 and continued to drop until 1961, with only 1312 cases. The injectible Salk vaccine was made from dead virus cells. In 1961, Dr. Albert Sabin perfected a live virus vaccine which appeared to give a more long-lasting immunity and could be administered by a sugar cube.

Occasionally, the live vaccine causes a case of polio and for that reason, the Salk vaccine has been standard since 2000. However, the Sabin vaccine is used in developing countries, because it is easy to administer. In 2004, there were about 1200 cases occurring in just six countries. It is hoped that this year will see the end of polio, worldwide.

Sources also include The Smithsonian (April 2005) and The Wilson Quarterly (Summer 2005). To respond to this story, e-mail williamgates2861@yahoo.com or phone (607) 532-4206.