Research: No More Triumphs?

In the decade since Virologist Jonas Salk perfected his anti-polio vaccine, the disease has been all but wiped out in the U.S. Reported cases of paralytic polio have dramatically declined, from 18,000 cases in 1954 to a mere 94 last year; the chance of getting polio today is less than the risk of diphtheria, malaria or typhoid fever. Last week, on the tenth anniversary of the approval of the Salk vaccine for general use, congressional leaders presented Dr. Salk with a joint resolution of the Senate and House expressing the nation's gratitude. The U.S. Public Health Service's Surgeon...

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