Dr. Jonas salk
Since polio is a viral disease it can easily be spread by being in contact with a person infected with polio. In certain cases of polio paralysis would occur and the infectee would begin to feel weak and unable to move their body due to the infection of their spinal cord fluid. Due to the lack of medical knowledge in 1916 a polio epidemic ensued but because of Dr. Jonas Salk’s work (1952) people would not have to suffer through the pain of polio. Dr. Salk created the cure for polio by using ‘dead’ polio virus to counteract the live virus living within the patient. Although Dr. Salk had successfully created the cure for polio in 1952 it was not until April of 1955 when it was announced publicly. After Dr. Salk had created the cure he was faced with a great opportunity that would provide him with lots of money, but Dr. Salk decided to turn down the opportunity and selflessly decided not to patent the cure for polio.
"National Museum of Health and Medicine ." TO BIND UP THE NATION'S WOUNDS TRAUMA AND SURGERY. National Museum of Health and Medicine, nd. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://www.medicalmuseum.mil/index.cfm?p=exhibits.nationswounds.page_02>.
"National Museum of Health and Medicine ." TO BIND UP THE NATION'S WOUNDS TRAUMA AND SURGERY. National Museum of Health and Medicine, nd. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://www.medicalmuseum.mil/index.cfm?p=exhibits.nationswounds.page_02>.