The Center for the History of Medicine

Polio Exhibit

Introductory remarks by Jonas E. Salk on April 12, 1955

While many like to listen to music -- those who know how a musical score is put together can appreciate the creation of a theme from notes that to others of us are merely disconnected sounds. The unification of the diverse elements that have just emerged in a simple score, and yet so rich in overtones, could have been accomplished only by one of the great masters. This gigantic task -- for which there was no precedent -- seemed impossible of achievement -- but it was possible, it was carried through; for him and his staff it was not difficult. Many have been surprised when they heard me reply, repeatedly, this past year, that I did not know what answers were being formulated in Ann Arbor. I felt no impatience whatever since I would learn in due course what was to be learned this morning. It is said that you can know people only when you live or work with them. Perhaps it was for this reason that I could feel comfortable in spite of not knowing.

For Dr. Francis, whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. He could not do otherwise. His kind of objectivity is rare, even among scientists -- and it is the kind that in human terms is called honesty. He is his own severest critic -- for which he has both the respect and admiration of his colleagues and students who strive to attain such stature as you have been able to observe during this past year.

Since this work has been in full view for a time and, to some, has seemed to move interminably slowly -- the magnitude of the effort for each step should be clear to all who give more than passing thought to the capsule accounts contained in headlines. The point at which we stand today is far removed in time from the day of Underwood's account of poliomyelitis, and is far from the day when Landsteinerts monkeys became paralyzed. The great wealth of events that has accumulated in the experiences of so many is well represented in the report made this morning. While the contribution of some may seem greater than that of others -- in one way or another -- this gigantic experiment is symbolic of the equally great foundations, both scientific and philanthropic, without which it could not have been conceived nor executed.

The heritage and opportunities available to man in the 20th century are as never before in history. It would be unfortunate indeed, if we regarded with complacency the prospects for the control of poliomyelitis in the light of Dr. Francis' report; if we did, I am reasonably certain that we would not achieve our objective as directly as we would like. I can visualize a number of problems -- but none quite so formidable as the field test, one phase of which is just completed. It would be possible to contemplate the future with a guarded alert, and to face each new problem as it arises -- trying to learn, as we go, from each of the experiences that could not have been anticipated. But, there are some problems that could be anticipated and it is the results of our experience in exploring those that we could foresee, that I will discuss this morning. Before I do so, let me first tell you briefly about the kind of unselfish cooperation that is so outstandingly prominent in the human side of the story.

Much of the organization of effort and the establishment of basic plans was begun by Dr. Harry Weaver whose energetic devotion and foresight was a very great factor in creating the laboratory potential without which what has been reported would not have been possible. The Connaught Laboratories of The University of Toronto prepared virus which was converted into vaccine; numerous manufacturers of biologicals, many of which have drawn on personnel trained in NFIP supported laboratories, performed a Herculean task in an unbelievably short time. The serologic studies in connection with vaccine effects in the field, and the study of cases, required the diversion of the attention of many investigators and their staffs from other work which may have been of greater interest to them.

The role of Dr. Rivers and the Vaccine Advisory Committee, whose confidence placed an inordinate responsibility upon us, but which they shared unstintingly, cannot be described adequately. It was they who pulled the switch, so to speak. Dr. McGinnis who, for the Foundation, dealt with vaccine manufacture, was called upon to do a job never before done. Dr. Van Riper had to divest himself of all but the essential responsibilities of Medical Director of the National Foundation, to lead the program of vaccine administration. Dr. Kum and Dr. Boyd's activities, in the Research Department of the NFIP, at times were almost in the roles of participants rather than administrators. It is hardly fair to begin an enumeration of the unselfish contributions--the willingly active support for the various tasks -- because it is a story in itself and cannot even be begun adequately or properly, at this time. I did not mean to do more than cite but a few of the many whose contributions were of equally great importance -- for the chain would have ceased to pull if but one of the many links had not been solidly forged.

I have postponed deliberately mention of certain other keystones in the series of arches that were required to bridge the distance covered, those whose contributions have been such that I feel a great sense of inadequacy in trying to characterize properly what they have given. It cannot be measured in any material terms that have meaning for me. If it were necessary to single out one person without whom all this would not have been possible, I would not have to think at all before mentioning the name of Basil O'Connor. I have often heard him say that this has been the most interesting period of his life. Knowing the many areas in which he has been engaged, I could understand this only when I recognized that his was not merely the role of an expediter, as many would believe would be the function of the President of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.

It is if people like him understand what Emerson said many years ago, "The reward of a thing well done is to have done it." Then there is the group, the role of which seems to be taken so for granted that I may, for the sake of emphasis, seem to exaggerate. But, they gave so much more than they received that I cannot find analogies with which to portray what I mean -- no less say it directly. You may from this vantage point pass casually over the participation of the early volunteers, and then the larger groups who joined the ranks when the call went out, and without coercion lent themselves and their bodies to a cause that might, if not now, then sometime soon, bring to each the protection, and freedom from fear, that each of us seek.

But there was a point in time when human subjects had not previously been given the first experimental vaccines. If I had to single out a particular experience without which this work could not have moved forward, I would say that it was the initiation of experiments in human volunteers. You will recall that the first volunteers to participate in our studies were children and young adults who had already suffered the ravages of paralytic poliomyelitis. That the first to participate were those already afflicted was not accidental. It was essential that the work be conducted without general public awareness lest the preliminary explorations create false hope prematurely. While this could be done in Institutions, the question was, of the different institutional groups, where would there be the greatest understanding and willing participation? When the thought occurred to me of the D.T. Watson Home for Crippled Children, I lived with the idea for a long time before I hesitatingly approached Dr. Jessie Wright, its Medical director.

The confidence displayed by her--and the President of her Board, lvlro Stambatigh -- and the members of his Board -- was most comforting, indeed. All that was theirs was ours to use. That the parents and patients themselves came forward without hesitation will give you some idea of the pleasure that was to be derived from working with those who put themselves at our disposal with little to be gained for themselves -- an opportunity that for them would never be, they wanted for others. Miss Lucile Cochran, the Administrator of the Watson Home was to us the Minister of Confidence, the Florence Nightingale, and more besides.

Then there were the further extensions of our studies which, without the confidence and enthusiasm of Dr. Gale Walker of the Polk State School, could not have been possible. While close to home, and close to the end of these remarks, without which I could not proceed into a report upon my principal purpose for being here this morning, I want to add to the list of those without whom all these things would not have been possible, the administrators at the University of Pittsburgh, Chancellor Fitzgerald, Dean McElroy, and the Trustees, who provided us with the opportunities and allowed the freedom without which the unlimited support of the National Foundation could not have been utilized.

This opportunity would have had no meaning if it were not for the devotion with which each of the many of the group that comprises our laboratory contributed and shared in that which needed to be done. I can speak of what they have done and repeat that they, as I have said of Basil O'Connor, can enjoy "the reward of a thing well done, not only having done it but, I hope, their reward will come, too, from being able to do more. And so, I come to tell you of the more that has been done since the point of departure when the field test was undertaken. But, at this juncture, I want to comment on how remarkably have the members of the fourth estate exercised restraints which were difficult--and have done their job with accuracy and not always without difficulty -- to keep at a high level public understanding of a difficult subject. The potential of their medium for good and for evil is clear -- but that it has been utilized far more for good, is a tribute to those who made this choice.

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