Polio: The Childhood Killer

What was polio, what were the effects, and how could it be fatal?

2018.009.038
This newspaper clipping from 1952 discusses several stories related to polio in Iowa. One of the stories discussed is Marilyn (Lawson) Bode's admittance into Raymond Blank Memorial Hospital in Des Moines. In late 1952, Bode contracted polio and she underwent treatment and physical therapy over the next few months. She later wrote about her experiences in a children's story, "My Mean Mom" which talks of the rigorous exercises such as taking hot baths twice a day in a house with no running water. Her book also informs children of the medical history of the 1950s and includes activities.

In 1952, Bode was experiencing flu-like symptoms when she was taken to the Des Moines Hospital and diagnosed with polio. She was admitted to the Blank Children's Hospital and placed in a ward with other polio patients. While in the hospital, Bode received treatment to help keep her muscles healthy such as stretches and wrapping her arms and legs in wet hot packs made of steaming wool that were then covered in plastic. The procedure often resulted in burns and blisters forming, a painful memory for Bode.

Another painful memory was seeing a boy in an iron lung machine. The hospital soon became overrun with patients and Bode was sent home since she was no longer contagious. Bode was forced to continue her physical therapy exercises despite her hatred of them. She wrote a book called My Mean Mom describing her experience.

Students will be shown an image of a newspaper clipping from 1952, one year before Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine, and will be asked questions about it. Even over 65 years ago, polio was still a common childhood disease and could lead to paralyzation and even death. This is a lesson about polio and what some of its symptoms can lead to. One of the stories mentioned in the newspaper clipping (Marilyn Lawson, age 7, of Dexter) would end up surviving the disease and write a children’s book (My Mean Mom) about it later on in her life.

• SS.9-12.2: Supporting Question
• SS-US.9-12.23: History (Iowans Influence U.S. History)

Students will be able to understand how primary sources can tell how people thought and felt about something like polio.;Students will be able to understand the short-term and long-term effects of polio.