Nancy Bradshaw

Publication Date

1988

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Francis Thompson, Lowell Harrison, Marion Lucas

Comments

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Degree Program

Department of History

Degree Type

Master of Arts

Abstract

Early twentieth century medical journal articles revealed that Kentucky physicians had a keen awareness of poliomyelitis. A cause and a preventive of the disease eluded them, however. As cases increased nationwide, Kentuckians joined in raising money for research for a vaccine. When that research resulted in the Salk vaccine, Kentuckians participated in field trials to test its effectiveness. Many of those participants, known as Polio Pioneers, completed a questionnaire regarding their recollections of the field trials. Many parents of Polio Pioneers and Kentucky physicians practicing in the state in 1954-55 responded to similar questionnaires. Results of the query indicated that participants experienced pride mixed with apprehension in taking part in an experimental vaccine program. The conclusion drawn from the parents' questionnaire was that they feared the disease more than the danger of a new drug and were willing to allow their children to participate. Physicians recalled the field trials favorably but had little recollection of the furor over distribution of free vaccine in the state. Many of those queried, pioneers, parents, and even one physician, revealed some confusion between the Salk vaccination program of 1955 and the Sabin vaccine distribution which took place seven years later. Kentuckians continue to be aware of polio, either because they vividly remember the polio years or because they are aware of the current problem for polio survivors known as post-poliomyelitis muscular atrophy (PPMA).

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Diseases | History | History of Science, Technology, and Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | United States History | Virus Diseases

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