"Do something!... Do anything!" Poliomyelitis in Canada, 1927-1967

--Description taken from ""Do something!... Do anything!" Poliomyelitis in Canada, 1927-1967"-- During the first half of the twentieth century poliomyelitis became one of Canada's most prominent public health challenges. Each "polio season" this paralyzing disease primarily struck children suddenly and capriciously, leaving in its wake life-long physical disabilities. As epidemics worsened, their frightening public image and high costs generated an escalating response from provincial governments that established new precedents in the provision of free and unconditional hospitalization and medical services. After World War II, the growing polio threat stimulated new levels of federal intervention and financing, including the imposition of national standards and control in the distribution and evaluation of polio vaccines between 1955 and 1962. This dissertation explores the factors underlying the Canadian response to polio, especially its terrifying nature and high visibility, and within a context of growing public expectations for action and protection, the profound frustrations associated with its scientific and medical understanding, diagnosis, prevention, control, treatment and after-care. Of particular significance was the middle class' unusual vulnerability to polio, especially during the post-war "baby boom." The broad response of Canadian governments to polio was built upon the leadership and shared values of a number of key individuals involved in public health that were closely connected to the provincial and federal health departments. The University of Toronto's Connaught Laboratories and its medical research and biological production efforts was a central link between these elements. Strong government intervention differentiated the Canadian polio experience from the American, although there were important U.S. influences. In particular, the conjunction of American enthusiasm for a series of hopeful polio "weapons" with major Canadian epidemics had a direct impact on the growth of provincial polio services. A major force on governments and voluntary efforts north of the border was the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis ("March of Dimes"), with its unprecedented fundraising, patient care and research program. There were also important influences from north to south. Financed by American dimes, and by significant Canadian funding, comprehensive polio research efforts at Connaught proved critical to the development and unprecedented field trial of the Salk vaccine and the ultimate control of this disease.