Infantile paralysis (Polio) booklets and vaccine information, 1930s-1955

Containers:

Box 5

Scope and content:

Two leaflets entitled "Infantile Paralysis (Poliomyelitis)" published by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Leaflets address early detection, prevention, and care of polio, and they acknowledge the relative lack of information about polio. One booklet entitled "When You Have Polio: A Handbook for the Guidance of Adolescent and Adult Patients with Infantile Paralysis (Poliomyelitis)" published by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Booklet gives general information about polio prevention and treatment but addresses issues adolescents and adults might experience, such as attending college or getting married while having polio, receiving financial aid for medical treatment, and getting along with friends and family. One booklet entitled "A Handbook on Infantile Paralysis" published by Good Housekeeping and compiled by Maxine Davis. Addresses the cause, symptoms, and treatment of polio in different stages (convalscent, acute, sensitive, chronic, etc.), as well as prevention of polio and the measures that different organizations (i.e., schools or camps) can take to prevent polio. One leaflet and accompanying letter to parents about plans for vaccinating children at schools if the Salk vaccine is licensed by the National Institutes of Health.

Using These Materials