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TWELVE MEDFCUD (OREGON) If AIL 'TVOTVt
Mufet' $emvf t, ISM f
Fight Against Polio Moved Ahead
During '54 With Vaccine Promisi
0The polio fight moved ahead
to fa climactic phase in 1954
With more and more patients re
quiring costlier care a new chal
lenge polio prevention be-
; gan at last to crystallize into the
nromise of eventual freedom
" from "polio's crippling threat.
It was a year of historic prog
ress, of unprecedented gains, of
bright new hope. But its legacy,
too, was unprecendented: It left
Americans facing a bigger job
than ever in the year ahead.
CThird Worst Year 9
With 37,771 cases reported
through its 48th week, 1954
emerges as the third worst polio
year of record. It was exceeded
only by the high of 57,879 cases
set in 1952, and by 1949's second
highest mark of042,033 cases. At
0 year's end it had become the
seventh straight year of high
cpolio incidence. Average rate for
the continental U. S. through
3 1954's 48th week was 23.5 cases
per 100,000 population.
o As usual, the disease struck
m without rhyme, reason or dis
cernible pattern.
Since 1938, when the National
Foundation for Infantile Paraly
sis came into being, an increas
ing proportion of polio victims
have survived the attack. In
1938-41, eleven per cent of all
reported cases died. The latest
o four-year study shows 5.4 per
o cent of reportecP cases were
G killed by the disease.
But polio was striking more
adults who usualfy are seriously
O
0
9o
affected. This has3 been a steady
trend in recent years. In 1944
48, only 15 per cnt of all polio
victims were 20 years of age or
. older. Th most recent figure
had reached 22 per cent.
Remains Child Killer
And polio remained a child
killer, too. According to U. S.
Public Health Service figures,
poliomyelitis in major epidemic
-years still killed more of our
"five to 14-year-olds than any
other communicable disease.
Let 1954 saw giant steps taken
' toward he possible elimination
of paralytic polio.
In 1954 gamma globulin, field
tested in 1951 and 1952 under
theaegis of the National Foun
dation, was provided with March
of Dimes funds to health offi
cers. It was available in larger
amounts for use against polio.
' Afe rjest, GG was a shaky bridge
between deferfee and attack. Ad-
. ministered at the proper time.
C it caUld give protection for five
to aout eight weeks. By Octob
er, this temporary preventive
" was (plentiful enough to become
available through usual commer
cial channels.
In the spring of the year, came
the "shot h I a r d 'round the
world:' On April 26, six-year-old
Randy Kerr of Fairfax County,
Vasp became the first child to
o participate in nationwide field
trials ofca new vaccine developed
by Dr. Jonas E. Salk of the Uni
versity of Pittsburgh.
Own Protective Antibodies
Backed by March of Dimes
funds, Dr. Salk and other scient
ists for years had worked to
find a vaccine different from
GG in that it could stimulate
the body to make its own pro-
tective antibodies in the blood
stream, possibly providing a de
gree fo permanent protection
from the disease. Gamma globu
lin, Mth its "borrowed" anti
bodies, never was expected to
achieve this. Dr. Salk had pre
tested the trial vaccine in the
Pittsburgh area. He knew it 'was
safe. He asked the National
. Foundation to find out now if
it prevented polio paralysis.
1954'so dramatic vaccine field
trials were the biggest operation
ot its k d ever projected:
650,000 children .trooped to
special? cinics in 217 trial areas
throughout the United States for
three" "s h o ts" each. Of these,
440,000 actually received the
vaccine; the rest got ineffective
'ummy shots. In "all, some
1,830,000 of them acting as un
injected controls for comparison
purposes.
Evaluation of results of the
trials now is under way. A task
Gof 120 statisticians and techni
cians under the direction of Dr.
Thomas irancis Jr. is sifting the
millions of facts that are pouring
in frorn test areas to the Polio
myelitis Vaccine Evaluation
Center at the University of Mich
igan. Reports from doctors, phy
sical therapists, health officers
and bloqd analysis laboratories
are flowing in to Ann Arbor in
one of? history's .most complex
scientific undertakiggs.
Answer in Spring
An answer is exepcted by the
spring' of 1955. Results, it is
hoped, will established whether
theOvaccine prevents paralytic
polio. In the meantime, however,
the National Foundation for In
fantile Paralysis is taking a cal
culated financial risk: $9,000,000
of the $64,000,000 the March of
Dimgs hopes to raise in 1955 are
committed for the purchase of a
standby supply of the vaccine.
If it is found effective the vac
cine must be licensed by the
laboratory ofQBiologics Control
of the National Foundation's ad
vance purchase achieved two
ends: It kejpt manufacturers
tooled up and staffed for high-
geared production when, results
are known rd it assured enough
vaccine for 9fi-0Q,QQ children,
ready for instant use in advance
of the polio ssas.an. Additional
through usual eo.mmerei.al
channels.
If and when the go-ahead
comes, the National Foundation
plans to make its supply avail
able, without charge for the pro
duct, to all first and second
graders in public, private and
parochial schools in the United
States, plus all children through
the fourth grade in the 1954 trial
areas. Public health authorities,
medical and health groups were
making plans for its administra
tion as 1954 drew to a close.
But there was little hope of
actually eliminating paralytic
polio during 1955, even with a
licensed vaccine available. Fore
casters predicted that possibly
18,000,000 persons might recetve
its protection next spring. There
are approximately 48,000,000
children below the age of 15 in
the U.S. so new cgses must be
expected. And there remain
many thousands of polio patients
stricken in past years who will
still need .help.
74,000 Parents Aided
In 1954 the National Founda
tion provided financial aid to
74,000 patients. Of these, 50,000
were carried over from previous
years; 24,009 were new eases.
At the end of the year there
were 70,0'00 still on its chapter's
rolls mere than in any pre
vious year. This reflected polio's
mounting incidence. But it also
showed that more than ever was
being done for . polio sufferers
During the year the National
Foundation spent S2,800,&00 in
direct aid to patients, through
its chapters. The 1954 bill for
the gamma globulin and vaceine
programs eame to is,iw,auy
Scientific research continued at
a cost of $2,7&0,OO0 more. Pro
fessional education used
$3,100,00 to help train doctors
nurses, physical therapists and
others for polio care and re
search work. Five hundred and
eighty-on scholarships and fel
lowships were awarded by the
National Foundation in 19o4.
Four new regional respirator
centers (in Nashville, New York
City, Cleveland and San Fran
cisco) were established in 1954
bringing the total of these pilot
plants to 13. Equipment shipped
through the 48th week included
1,763 respirators, 209 hot pack
machines, 561 rocking beds.
The year ended on a note of
both hope and warning. The
two-fold responsibility ahead
patient care and polio preven
tion left the. nation facing a
bigger, polio job thanoever.
On The Side 'y ' v ".
(Distributed by King Features Svadieate, Inc.)
There is to be a play based on
Polly Adler's monumental work
titled "A House Is Not a Home."
So it is announced. It is just
about 50 years ago that George
Bernard Shaw's play "Mrs. War
ren's Profession" was presented
in New York with Mary Shaw
and Arnold Daly in the leading
roles. It was closed by the po
lice after one performance and
the producer and members of
the cast placed under arrest.
Lucky Names
Numerologists claim that it is
lucky to have the same number
of letters in the Christian fiame
as the surname. As for examples,
Greta Garbo, Hirsch Jacobs,
Theodore Atkinson, Paul Muni
and Bette Davis. It makes no
difference, according to the nu
merologists whether it is the
name your papa and mamma
gave you or one you assumed.
That is, you can change your
name for luck. I could change
mine to Vincent Durling. That
would give me seven letters in
each name and, besides, I would
get rid of that Edgar.
Horses and Women
Women continue to moan
about the tragedy of having a
sudden run in a stocking. You
see otherwise smartly attired
women with runs in their stock
ings and sorrowful embarrassed
looks on their faces. What makes
so many females so stubborn?
Why don't they go for that "pair
and a spare" idea of selling ny
lons? Then they could carry a
spare stocking in their handbag.
Certainly would be more practi
cal to carry something like that
in a.handbag than the ridiculous
variety of junk the average fe
males cart around in that recep
tacle. Amone the Married
A Detroit bride had her eight
sisters as her bridesmaids. Must
have been an . interesting wed
ding ceremony. However, my
sympathy is extended to t he
groom. Think of having eight
sisters-in-law! Research on life
among the .married indicates
that sisters-in-law inspire almost
as much dissension in the life of
a married couple as mothers
in-law. . ' "
Asking
Queries from clients. Q. Who
introduced the popular song ti
tled "April Showers"? A. Harry
Fox, the brilliant and versatile
partner of the Dolly Sisters.
Harry also introduced "I'm For
ever Blowing Bubbles." and
I'm Always Chasing Rain
bows." Q. I claim the harness
horse film, "Home in Indiana,"
was actually -filmed in Ken
tucky. Right? Q. Quite right, sir.
It was filmed at Walnut Hall
Farm, Lexington, Ky. Q. Was R.
L.' Stevenson?s horror tale, "Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," based on
a series of events that actually
happened? A. It is believed Ste
venson's inspiration for the tale
you mention came from the life
of Dr. William Brodie, an Edin
burgh church deacon, who lived
good life by day and an evil
one after dark. The police final
ly caught up with Brodie and
he was hanged for his crimes.
Asides
During World War IT the
WACs called the women marines
"Jungle Juliets" but I don't
know why. . . . Chicago restau
rateur claims to have originated
"Little Thin Pancakes." My be
lief is that this type of pancakes
originated in the celebrated Sa-
cher restaurant in Vienna, Aus
tria.
Sidelights
Manhattan taxi driver , says
the worst tippers are profession
al baseball players and "all
Southerners." . . . "Love," said
Voltaire, "is the strongest of all
passions because it attracts at
once, the head, the heart and
the body." . ; . Does your young
son ask you innumerable ques
tions? That's a good sign. It was
Dr. Samuel Johnson, who said,
"Curiosity is one of the most
permanent and certain charac
teristics of a vigorous intellect."
. . . Do you consider yourself
well informed as to the Bible?
If so, quickly quote the Fifth
and Sixth Commandents, and
what is the Third Commandment?
NON-PROFIT FOOD
Pasadena, Calif. (U.R) A
scientifically prepared, h i g h-
protem food developed at the
California Institute of Technol
ogy is reported to have been sav
ing lives in countries hit by
typhoons, floods, wars or other
tragedy. More than 35,000,000
of the three-cent meals have
been distributed in Okinawa,
Japan, Korea and India alone,
according to the Meals for Mil
lions Foundation, a non-profit
group has shipped the "multi
purpose food" to' more than 100
countries to date.
Fort Wayne, Ind. (U.R) A
Fort Wayne man who collects $2
bills for good luck, pawned his
collection. He got $25 for the $44
collateral.
For Simple Headache
Colds' Aches
Pains And
Feverishness
Muscular
200 Tablets 79C (J0fiM
100 Tablets 4JC I . tma.T ' ;
12 Tablets IOC
A Hntf Product
V3
IB W v m
i ..
i i Tn
Vow may
pply here
even if yew
have a loon
Isewhere-
Quick, friendly
service always.
Highest lean
values. . . Pay
ments te fit
year budget
and pay days. Qom
In er phone newl
or more
ON YOUR
SIGNATURE
V AUTOMOBILE
' -t FURNITURE
Piregomi
IFoDiiainice
45 SOUTH CENTRAL
PHONE 2-4433
Your Home Owned and
Managed Company
Established In 1928
Lie. S-211 M-217
Loans over $500 made by
Medford Industrial Loan Co.
under same management.
f it iflLi iSM
gHOWlSTQ $CKED-tTLiE13 Tfee reeving ptetuk SSias Mis Jjrill
be mm ef live fi&ms sfowa "Wednesday t the CfataF&n heater
for ckrew esruty farmers a-nd their istmilies w a pari ef the
Joha D&eFe day teeing sm&8ee& by 7mm Wray b4 Mubfear aVWray
company. Tfre pr egjaaa will start 4 1 g.Vfi Tlae-ye 9 a ektaf fer
tickato.
Dasauez Install
As 20-30 Leader
Eterrall Basques was installiBi
president of Mediord S0-33 elub
during- a dinner Etee. it at Kim'a
restaurant. The . dinner was is
observance of ladies' night.
Pat Greene vk installed viee
president and Alva Re$, serjeant-at-arms.
Dick Tract k re
tiring president.
The organization is planning
for the presentation here f Kay
brothers indoor eircus at Me4
for4 high school Jan. 27. Both
afternoon and evening perfor
mances are to be given. Proceeds
will go for eharitabls vorfe in
the Rogue Tallay.
f soi trrejf if
Portland U.l) A 19-y ear
eld Pwrtlaad youth was being
held in jail nere today at the
request ei Ms mother after he
allegedly threatened members of
his family vita .ftg caliber
piitoi.
Patrick G. O'firien was charg
ed with assault-with a danger
ous weapo and held in lieu
of $3000 bail. He was arrested
Saturday night after his mother,
Mrs. Naney A. .O'Brien, told po
lice he was h&aating that he in
tended "to shoot a cop."
Police said the youth was car
rying the pistol at the time of
Corvallis Scientist Slated To Receive
100,000 in Titanium Industry Payment
Corvallis, Ore. 1.R) An lm- ent royalties from America's
migrant scientist whose success'. $300,000,000 titanium industry.
story has been one of "riches to
rags" instead of ,the usual pat
tern is finally beginning to pay
'ff.
D. "William J. Kroll, 65, who
invented ,the process for mass
production of titanium, a metal
vital in the manufacture of jet
aircraft, expects the postman to
bring hi ma check for $100,000
any day now.
Croll is not exactly destitute.
He lives in modest but comfort
able circumstances here in a
home he built and owns.
IKit he has been fighting in
eourt for six years to obtain pat-
Education Use for
Tidelands Funds Eyed
Washington (U.R) Sen. Lis
ter Hill (D-Ala.) will push for
passage in the new Congress of
his bill to spend federal income
from off-shore oil lands on the
nation's schools and colleges.
Hill also said he will intro
duce legislation calling for an
"emergency" school construc
tion program and four health
proposals, including one to ex
tend voluntary health insurance
to the aged, jobless and poor.
Hill is slated to take over the
chairmanship of the Senate La
bor and Public Welfare Com
mittee when the Democratic
controlled 84th Congress con
venes Wednesday. That commit
tee would normally consider the
bills he proposes to offer.
his arrest, but that
loaded.
it was not
"I've worked for 12 years like
a beast but I'm poorer now than
when I hit the shores of the
United States," Kroll said.
$100,000 Not Enough
A federal court ruled recently
he should receive one half of
one per cent of the. retail price
of titanium produced by his pro
cess. America manufactures about
5,000 tons &t titanium a year.
By 1957 production is expected
to reach 35,000 tons. The strong
light, heat-resistant metal sells
for about $4.50 a pound.
Kroll said the $100,000 he
will receive soon in retroactive
royalties will not begin to cover
the amount he has spent in liti
gation to clear his claim. He had
to sell his three story laboratory
in Luxembourg to help make
living expenses.
Patents Seised
His patent rights were seized
by the alien property custodian
when he entered the United
States in 1940, fleeing his native
Luxembourg to avoid working
for Hitler. He had perfected his
titanium process while working
for a German firm.
The royalty dispute centered
over whether the patent rights
belonged to Kroll or the German
organization that employed him.
Many records pertaining to the
case had been distroyed.
Although Kroll believes he
should receive a full one per
cent in royalties instead of one
half of a per. cent, he is com
forted by the fact his discovery
is regarded as one of the great
est in a century in the field of
metals.
While working for the U. S.
Bureau of Mines at Albany, Ore.,
Kroll perfected a second metal
process that is proving equally
significant. It is used in produc
ing zirconium, a metal needed
for atomic reactors.
Kroll turned his zirconium
patent over to the U. S. govern
ment. He has been living in Cor
vallis since 1945 and left th
Bureau of Mines in 1949.
Glass
Co.
Windshields curved & flat
Plate Glass Window Glass
303 N. Bartletf
DRIVE-IN SERVICE
Phone 3-3613
r
A fear -End
Ford
Motor Comp
Telegram to the 10,000
any Dealers of America
(Text of a message sent by Henry. Ford II, President, Ford Motor Company,
shortly after the close of business in 1954)
1954 was a great year for America.
We proved that we can have peace and prosperity at
the same time.
1954 was a great year for Ford Motor Company, too.
In 1954, our domestic payrolls totaled more than
$950,000,000, averaging better than $18,000,000 each
week.
1954 was the best sales year in the 51 years wef have
been in business.
In 1954, the American public bought more Ford Motor
Company passenger cars and trucks than in any other
year. In total, our customers selected and purchased
more than 2,000,000 Fords, Lincolns, Mercurys, Ford
trucks and Ford tractors.
During 195i, ' the public swing to the Ford passenger
ear teas clearly established.
Complete sales information for the industry is avail
able, at this moment, only to November 1st.
For the first 10 months of 1954, more people bought
Ford passenger cars than any other make. In fact, for
the entire 15-month period from August 1, 1953, to
November 1, 1954 a postwar period of free compe
tition the Ford car is first in sales . . and our sales
are continuing at a leaderahip rate.
We are proud of this record for 1954. We are grateful to
the people who made the record possible our employees,
our dealers, our suppliers and, most importantly, our
customers.
As still another great year for America begins, , we
remind ourselves that any achievements of ours are
made possible only by the kind of country in which
we live and work. : , t
We believe that American . freedom and American
opportunity are the silent partners of all the indi
viduals and all the companies that' have helped
keep this country always new, young, vigorous
and strong.
Ford Motor Company
FORD LINCOLN MERCURY CARS FORD TRUCKS FORD TRACTORS AND FARM IMPLEMENTS FORD INDUSTRIAL ENGINES