After a headlong start early in the year, infantile paralysis was slowing down. By last week, U.S. Public Health Service chartmakers could point with confidence to the week ended Aug. 20 (in which 3,419 cases were reported) as the year's peak. Since then, the curve has been downward. But 1949 was certain to have a staggering polio toll marked against it: already 29,051 cases had been reported, and by year's end the total would be nearer 40,000.
Statisticians poring over the reports found some cold comfort. This year's total, whatever it might be, could...
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