Presents an overview of the disease polio, covering its history, transmission, and other aspects, and the lives of vaccine developers Albert Sabin and Jonas Salk.

Polio is a collection of essays written by nine people who experienced the disease in several ways - those who suffered, their care-givers, and those who worked to destroy this scourge. An opening chapter recounts the history of polio from its earliest depiction in Egyptian art to the present day. Three personal essays recount the experiences of patients who were paralyzed in youth by polio but survived and built successful lives despite the handicaps with which they were afflicted. The challenges of caring for patients with polio are described by two physicians who worked on polio wards in the United States during the great epidemic years of the 1950s. The story of the cultivation of poliovirus - a Nobel Prize-winning accomplishment - and the testing of the resulting vaccine is told by two research scientists who devoted much of their careers to the laboratories where these breakthroughs were achieved. The last two essays - by senior members of the Pan-American Health Organization - d

"Polio once frightened parents every summer. The disease could suddenly leave children paralyzed. But in the 1950s, scientists developed a vaccine that nearly eliminated the disease. Polio explores the history and science behind this disease, as well as how it's treated. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index."--