Polio and comic books 0

[jpepx78]

We have dealt with Covid for a couple of years and currently dealing with Monkey pox. Recently New York governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency for polio, a viral threat that has reemerged. Poliovirus was found in sewage samples from 4 counties in the NY metropolitan area and in the city itself. Polio has flu-like symptoms, is easily spread orally and can lead to permanent paralysis. Polio is fatal to 2-10% of the people suffering from paralysis because the muscles used to breathe are immobilized.

Major polio epidemics occurred in the early to mid 20th century and primarily afflicted young children. Polio was one of the most feared diseases of the developed world since polio could hit without warning and required long quarantine periods. It was impossible to tell who would get the disease and who would be spared. There is no cure for polio but the iron lung was developed in the 1920s to aid breathing for polio patients. In 1952 the worst polio epidemic in US history heightened parents fears of the disease and focused public awareness on the need for a vaccine. Jonas Salk developed the first polio vaccine that was licensed in 1955 and a few years later Albert Sabin developed a second polio vaccine. It is notable how people’s attitudes toward vaccinations for deadly and debilitating diseases have changed over time.

President Franklin Roosevelt who was paralyzed from the waist down from polio helped found the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (now known as the March of Dimes) in 1938 that raised money for rehabilitation for polio victims and was instrumental in funding the development of polio vaccines. Many comics were promoting support for the March of Dimes by displaying logos or including public service ads. DC promoted the March of Dimes by giving color postcards of Wonder Woman, Superman or Batman & Robin for a donation.

1. A kid with polio in an iron lung reading a comic.

2. A kid with polio getting a pair of corrective shoes and comics in an Iowa hospital in 1951.

3. A kid with polio looking at his western comics.

4. These kids were given comics to read while waiting for their polio shots in Delaware on July 6 1954.

5. Capt Marvel 43 with Fight Infantile Paralysis logo.

6. Star Spangled 54 with Join March of Dimes logo.

7. Action 142 with March of Dimes logo.

8. Superman promotion for March of Dimes in Detective 85.

9. Superman polio card front/back.

10. Wonder Woman promotion for March of Dimes in Sensation 15.

11. Wonder Woman polio card front/back.

12. Batman & Robin promotion for March of Dimes in Detective 97.

13. Batman & Robin polio card front/back.

14. A public service ad for polio prevention in a 1953 Mighty Mouse comic.

Edited September 13, 2022 by jpepx78

[Scrooge]

On 9/13/2022 at 12:08 AM, jpepx78 said:

He is reading a Flip'n'Dip story. Potentially reading Our Gang # 21. This would make the photo circa 1946.

[pemart1966]

On 9/13/2022 at 12:08 AM, jpepx78 said:

We have dealt with Covid for a couple of years and currently dealing with Monkey pox. Recently New York governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency for polio, a viral threat that has reemerged. Poliovirus was found in sewage samples from 4 counties in the NY metropolitan area and in the city itself. Polio has flu-like symptoms, is easily spread orally and can lead to permanent paralysis. Polio is fatal to 2-10% of the people suffering from paralysis because the muscles used to breathe are immobilized.

Major polio epidemics occurred in the early to mid 20th century and primarily afflicted young children. Polio was one of the most feared diseases of the developed world since polio could hit without warning and required long quarantine periods. It was impossible to tell who would get the disease and who would be spared. There is no cure for polio but the iron lung was developed in the 1920s to aid breathing for polio patients. In 1952 the worst polio epidemic in US history heightened parents fears of the disease and focused public awareness on the need for a vaccine. Jonas Salk developed the first polio vaccine that was licensed in 1955 and a few years later Albert Sabin developed a second polio vaccine. It is notable how people’s attitudes toward vaccinations for deadly and debilitating diseases have changed over time.

President Franklin Roosevelt who was paralyzed from the waist down from polio helped found the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (now known as the March of Dimes) in 1938 that raised money for rehabilitation for polio victims and was instrumental in funding the development of polio vaccines. Many comics were promoting support for the March of Dimes by displaying logos or including public service ads. DC promoted the March of Dimes by giving color postcards of Wonder Woman, Superman or Batman & Robin for a donation.

1. A kid with polio in an iron lung reading a comic.

2. A kid with polio getting a pair of corrective shoes and comics in an Iowa hospital in 1951.

3. A kid with polio looking at his western comics.

4. These kids were given comics to read while waiting for their polio shots in Delaware on July 6 1954.

5. Capt Marvel 43 with Fight Infantile Paralysis logo.

6. Star Spangled 54 with Join March of Dimes logo.

7. Action 142 with March of Dimes logo.

8. Superman promotion for March of Dimes in Detective 85.

9. Superman polio card front/back.

10. Wonder Woman promotion for March of Dimes in Sensation 15.

11. Wonder Woman polio card front/back.

12. Batman & Robin promotion for March of Dimes in Detective 97.

13. Batman & Robin polio card front/back.

14. A public service ad for polio prevention in a 1953 Mighty Mouse comic.

Well researched and presented.  Thanks for the education.

[Comics-n-ERB]

Polio victims are now facing what they are calling Post Polio Syndrome in their later years. 

[Robot Man]

Nice detective work. Amazing photos. Those DC postcards are tough to find. Thanks for posting.

Many, many years ago my wife and I attended a very special estate sale. The small house had been cleared out but someone discovered an entire attic filled with late ‘40’s early ‘50’s toys and comic books.

Apparently, the little boy had polio and was a local “poster child”. He was given tons of toys and comics. There were even two of many. One he played with and one still unused in original box. I got all the comics. About 200 of them. Most had his name neatly written on the cover. I was the only one who wanted them. I also got a bunch of the character toys.

One of the saddest and most remarkable items was a Mickey Mantle baseball glove in original box with the ball. Unused. How could a kid with polio play baseball? 

[sfcityduck]

On 9/13/2022 at 8:24 AM, Robot Man said:

Nice detective work. Amazing photos. Those DC postcards are tough to find. Thanks for posting.

 

Some are up for auction now.

[AJD]

One of the issues of the EC title M.D. has a polio story in it. I'll dig it out and scan it later.