Poliomyelitis In Upstate New York 1944-1963

Poliomyelitis was a dreaded illness in the 20th century until its eradication thanks to the Salk Vaccine that was introduce in 1954. My book looks at the impact made by infantile paralysis over a single region, i.e. the towns, cities and counties of upstate New York. I have detailed various measures taken in Onondaga and Erie County to fight polio. Among these were funds to raise money for wool Kirby pads, that were used to comfort polio victims. Statistics announced by New York State Health officials were a part of my research into old newspapers like the Syracuse Herald American. I also profiled the deaths of veterans, children and others who fell victim to and succumbed to polio. One Buffalo resident suffered two bouts with the virus and was confined to a wheelchair for life. A prominent businessman raised money for her to attend seamstress school after she graduated from the 8th grade as a pupil of a Buffalo hospital crippled children's school. The March of Dimes was central in the struggle to find a cure for polio. My e-book looks at the local efforts that were made by mothers and other citizens to raise the vastly needed resources that were required to fund polio research.