Polio An American Story Analysis

Polio: An American Story is about the journey of the poliovirus and how they came to find the cure. The thesis is stated clearly in the introduction of this book. Oshinsky talks about how the feud between Salk and Sabin was continuous, and that the debate is still ongoing on weather Salk or Sabin made the better vaccine for this virus. He then ends with saying “What is certain, however, is that the polio crusade that consumed them remains one of the most significant and culturally revealing triumphs in American medical history.” (7) The thesis in the introduction section of Oshinsky’s book is what the whole book talks about. He talks about the how the Poliovirus comes to the people’s attention, the lives of Salk and Sabin, and he even talks …show more content…
While people were loosing money polio research and treatment was loosing its support, people stopped donating their money because they had none to spare after this tragic event. During World War II the US was in great need of doctors on the battlefield so that limited the research as well. With events like the Great Depression and World War II happening how could people not worry about themselves in need of financial aid, or about a war against Germany? Funding this research was the last thing on people’s …show more content…
Both men climbed up the ladder to gain medical intelligence and receive educations. Salk and Sabin were competitors on a quest to find a vaccine for Poliovirus. Jonas was a Jewish immigrant born on October 28, 1941 and was the oldest of his three brothers. His parents expected him to become a doctor; at first he pursued pre-law but did not manage to get the grades required. When he switched to medical (like his mother wanted) his grades took a turn for the best. He moved onto a higher education at New York University of Medicine taking advantage of the education he was receiving he was determined to be successful. Albert was born in Poland in 1906, at the age of 15 his family escaped to the United States; he knew no English so this was a bit of an obstacle in his educational journey, but he got passed it. He went on to high school and from there to college at New York University. Sabin started out in dentistry but was unable to continue. He was able to get into medical school on a scholarship. Shortly after graduating the Polio outbreak caught his attention and he began the research process right away to hopefully one day find a