1931 — Polio, esp. July-Oct (Aug peak), esp. NY, NJ, MI, MA, IL, CT, & PA –2,139-2,144

 

— 4,138  Kohn, George. Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence (Revised Ed.), 2001, p. 366.[1]

— 4,138  Kohn, George. Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence (Third Edition), 2008, p. 427.

— 2,144  U.S. Census plus TX (Wooten, Heather Green. The Polio Years in Texas, 2009, p. 16.)

— 2,139  National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Annual Statistical Review, 1960, p. 7.[2]

— 2,096  U.S. Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1931. Washington: 1935, pp. 21, 69.[3]

 

AL         25      U.S. Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1931, p. 171.

AZ           6                  “          p. 178.

AR        26                  “          p. 182.

CA        51                  “          p. 188.

CO          3                  “          p. 194.

CT         97                  “          p. 198.

DE           2                  “          p. 203

DC          3                  “          p. 206.

FL           8                  “          p. 211.

GA        30                  “          p. 217.

ID            3                  “          p. 223.

IL        102                  “          p. 227.

IN          18                  “          p. 231.

IA          40                  “          p. 236.

KS         13                  “          p. 240.

KY        28                  “          p. 244.

LA         18                  “          p. 250.

ME        11                  “          p. 256.

MD        11                  “          p. 260.

MA      115                  “          p. 266.

MI       116                  “          p. 270.

MN        69                  “          p. 275.

MS        15                  “          p. 279.

MO        25                  “          p. 285.

MT        15                  “          p. 289.

NE         12                  “          p. 292.

NV          0                  “          pp. 296-297.

NH        10                  “          p. 300.

NJ        142                  “          p. 303.

NM          5                  “          p. 308.

NY      671                  “          p. 311. (270 below age 5; 196, 5-9 age group; 92, ages 10-14.)

“     –504  NYC[4]  Draper, George. Infantile Paralysis. NY: Appleton-Century, 1935, 20.[5]

“     —     7     “  Aug 27. Syracuse Herald, NY. “Wynne May Delay Opening…,” 8-28-1931, 14

“             1  Saranac Lake, ~Sep 24. Syracuse Herald, NY. “7 Polio…” 9-26-1931, p.6, col. 8.

NC        37  U.S. Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1931, p. 316.

ND          8                  “          p. 322.

OH        47                  “          p. 326.

OK        19                  “          p. 330.

OR          8                  “          p. 336.

PA         96                  “          p. 340.

RI          10                  “          p. 345.

SC         14                  “          p. 349.

SD         13                  “          p. 355.

TN         22                  “          p. 359.

TX         48  Wooten, Heather Green. The Polio Years in Texas, 2009, p. 16.[6]

UT           6  U.S. Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1931, p. 366.

VE         10                  “          p. 370.

VA        20                  “          p. 373.

WA       16                  “          p. 380.

WV       23                  “          p. 384.

WI         49                  “          p. 388.

WY         3                  “          p. 392.

 

Narrative Information

 

Draper: “While it is true that originally [1916] nearly 90 per cent of the total incidence occurred in children below the age of five years (see Figure 3)[7] nowadays that group seems to represent only about 50 or 60 per cent. In the last few years there has been a definite expansion upward of age susceptibility to include children of fifteen and sixteen, and likewise a good many more adults than formerly. As yet there is no adequate explanation for this phenomenon.” (p. 56).

 

“…the death rate in poliomyelitis…[was] 27 per cent…in 1916…[and] 12 per cent…in 1931.” (Draper 1935, 140.)

 

Kohn:  “U.S. Poliomyelitis Epidemic of 1931. Poliomyelitis outbreak nearly rivaling the U.S. Poliomyelitis Epidemic of 1916 [6,000-7,000 deaths] and occurring when the disease was no longer considered a ‘new’ scourge in the United States. The 1931 polio epidemic killed 4,138 people (12.2 percent of the reported cases) and was centered, like most outbreaks up to that time, in the northeast; New York City had almost 4,500 cases and New Haven had 149. The epidemic began in July, peaked in August, and ended in October with the onset of colder weather – a pattern typical for poliomyelitis….

 

“….In 1931, oral-nasal secretions were blamed for the spread of polio, which doctors now know is transmitted by direct contact with pharyngeal[8] secretions or feces of infected people through close association.

 

“….In 1931, the slightest muscle weakness was cause to encase limbs in casts, which were often suspended by pulleys above patents’ beds. For those with paralyzed lungs,[9] there were ‘iron lung’ respirators to make breathing possible.

 

“As a result of the 1931 epidemic, the Yale Poliomyelitis Commission (also known as the Yale Poliomyelitis Study Unity) was formed in June 1931 under the direction of Dr. James Trask; its purpose was to study clinical virology and to attempt to isolate the poliovirus from extremely ill patients, especially abortive cases (which still had to be proven to be poliomyelitis, despite past research). At the time, it was…widely believed that the variety of minor illnesses accompanying an epidemic had nothing to do with poliomyelitis.

 

“The Yale commission declared that isolation of the virus was an impractical method for trying to control the disease because there were too many cases that lacked the classic characteristics of poliomyelitis. The commission set about to probe abortive, minor cases to prove their infectiousness. It eventually established a precedent that would be followed thereafter: with the outbreak of a disease, a research team or teams would be invited to the disease area to study it. For 40 years, the Yale commission would be called to consult on epidemics all over the United States….”[10]  (Kohn, George Childs (Ed.).  Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence From Ancient Times to the Present (Revised Edition).  NY:  Checkmark Books, 2001, p. 366.)

 

U.S. Census:  “Acute Poliomyelitis and Acute Polioencephalitis. There were 2,096 deaths in 1931 due to acute poliomyelitis and acute polioencephalitis, compared with only 1,370 in 1930. The death rate in 1931 was 1.8, as compared with 1.2 in 1930. In the majority of States there was in increase, the highest rates in 1931 being for Connecticut (6.0); New York (5.3); and New Jersey (3.5); and among cities, for New Haven (11.1); Hartford (10.8); and Duluth (7.9). Nevada and 20 of the 93 cities of 100,000 population and over had no deaths from this cause in 1931.” (U.S. Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1931. Washington: GPO, 1935, p. 21.)

 

Newspapers

 

July 25:  “Albany, July 25 (AP) — Prompted by the large number of cases of infantile paralysis reported along the Hudson River Valley between New York and Albany, Dr. Thomas J. Parran, state commissioner of health, today called a meeting of his deputies and assistants to be held here tomorrow morning to discuss the situation and prepare for the quick distribution of serum.  This meeting will be followed Monday by one in New York City at which Dr. Parran will meet the leading health executives, of New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey to arrange uniform measures for prevention and control of infantile paralysis

 

“In New York City the department figures showed tonight there were 195 cases reported in the last five days as compared with 142 cases during the previous six months Twenty-two cases have been reported in the State outride of New York City.”  (Syracuse Herald, NY. “Health Heads of 3 States Meet to Map Polio Extermination,” 7-26-1931, p. 4.)

 

July 30: “Albany, July 30 (AP) – Precautions against the spread of infantile paralysis upstate has been taken by the State Department of Health following the increased number of cases in New York City….in New York City, the report showed, there were 195 cases reported during the week of July 19, of which 155 were in Brooklyn where the outbreak of 1916 had its beginning….The large increase this year was not noted until last week.

 

“Limiting contact between children in summer camps and visitors from infested localities was advised by the department. It also said it was endeavoring to secure and maintain an adequate supply of immune human serum and was working with the State Medical Society in the diagnosis and treatment of cases.” (Syracuse Herald, NY. “State Acting To Keep Polio From Upstate,” 7-30-1931, p. 14, col. 1.)

 

Aug 4:  “New York – Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt, himself a victim of poliomyelitis, has answered the call for serum with which to fight the infantile paralysis epidemic by donating a pint of his blood, while the city has created a $75,000 emergency fund to be used in preventative measures.

 

“New cases numbering 114, bringing the total since July 1 to 802, served to emphasize the spread of the disease which broke out in Brooklyn.

 

“….Roosevelt was stricken ten years ago, but has recovered his health and now is able to swim and ride horseback.

 

“Mayor James J. Walker, who sailed last night for a vacation in Europe, approved an emergency appropriation of $75,000 to provide a staff of doctors and nurses on duty 24 hours a day to cope with the situation. According to Health Commissioner Shirley Wynn, serum administered during the pre-paralytic stage may halt the disease.”  (Middletown Times Herald, NY. “Mr. Roosevelt Offers Blood In Polio Fight,” 8-4-1931, p. 3, col. 4.)

 

Aug 12:  “New York, Aug. 12 (AP) – Seventy-three new cases of infantile paralysis, bringing the total since July 1 to 1,226, were reported this morning to the New York City health department.” (Syracuse Herald, NY. “73 New Polio Cases,” 8-12-1931, p. 9, col. 6.”

 

Aug 26: “Washington, Aug. 26…the Public Health Service today had received reports of 1,104 cases of infantile paralysis, as compared with 1,040 last week…New York city’s cases declined with 422 this week as compared with 512 last week and 591 the week before.  States reporting 10 or more cases were: Massachusetts, 115; Rhode Island 22; Connecticut, 115; New York, 555; New Jersey, 78; Pennsylvania, 10; Illinois, 36; Michigan, 68; Wisconsin, 26.” (Daily News, Frederick, MD. “Fewer Cases Reported. Decline Noted in Infantile Paralysis in Many States,” 8-27-1931, p. 14, col. 6.)

 

Aug 28:  “New York, Aug. 28 (AP) – As ‘an precautionary measure’ against the spread of infantile paralysis, Dr. Shirley W. Wynne, health commissioner of New York City announced today he will probably recommend that the opening of public schools, scheduled for Sept. 14, be postponed a week or ten days. He said he believed cases of the disease are definitely on a decline

but that he wished to take every possible precaution.

 

“For the last 24 hours, ending this morning, 53 new cases were reported in New York City, bringing the total since January to 2,613. There were seven new deaths, increasing the fatalities to 300.” (Syracuse Herald, NY. “Wynne May Delay Opening of Schools Because of Polio,” 8-28-1931, p. 14.)

 

Sources

 

Daily News, Frederick, MD. “Fewer Cases Reported. Decline Noted in Infantile Paralysis in Many States,” 8-27-1931, p. 14, col. 6. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=33690417&sterm=infantile+paralysis+epidemic+york

 

Draper, George, M.D. Infantile Paralysis. NY and London: D. Appleton-Century Co., Inc., 1935.

 

Kohn, George Childs (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence From Ancient Times to the Present (3rd Ed.) NY: Facts On File, Inc., an imprint of Infobase Publishing, 1995, 2001, 2008. Google digital preview: http://books.google.com/books?id=tzRwRmb09rgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Middletown Times Herald, NY. “Mr. Roosevelt Offers Blood In Polio Fight.” 8-4-1931, p. 3, col. 4. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=38028650&sterm

 

Syracuse Herald, NY. “7 Polio Cases Give Saranac Region Scare. Half of School Children Kept Home by Frightened Parents. One Fatality Results.” 9-26-1931, p.6, col. 8. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=37659909&sterm

 

Syracuse Herald, NY. “73 New Polio Cases,” 8-12-1931, p. 9, col. 6. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=39321149&sterm

 

Syracuse Herald, NY. “Health Heads of 3 States Meet to Map Polio Extermination,” 7-26-1931, p. 4. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=37474435&sterm

 

Syracuse Herald, NY. “State Acting To Keep Polio From Upstate,” 7-30-1931, p. 14, col. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=37474500&sterm

 

Syracuse Herald, NY. “Wynne May Delay Opening of Schools Because of Polio,” 8-28-1931, p. 14. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=37474919&sterm

 

United States Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce. Mortality Statistics 1931 (Thirty-Second Annual Report). Washington: GPO, 1935. Accessed 10-24-2013 at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsushistorical/mortstatsh_1931.pdf

 

Wooten, Heather Green The Polio Years in Texas: Battling a Terrifying Unknown. Texas A&M University Press, 2009. Google digital preview accessed 10-24-2013 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=bhqhSGPHVpAC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=1931&f=false

 

 

 

 

[1] Kohn does not cite a specific source for his figure of 4,138 deaths. In that it is so much higher than the U.S. Census figures and we have not been able to substantiate this figure, we do not use it as our high estimate.

[2] Table reproduced in Heather Green Wooten. The Polio Years in Texas: Battling a Terrifying Unknown. Texas A&M University Press, 2009, p. 181.

[3] The U.S. Bureau of Census provides breakouts for 47 States plus the District. It does not provide data for Texas.

[4] Draper notes there were 4,138 cases out of 7,090,089 population. Draws from Landon and Smith 1934 report.

[5] Cites (p. 19), a “New York City report on epidemic poliomyelitis in 1931.” The bibliography indicates this is a reference to J. F. Landon and L. W. Smith. Poliomyelitis…A Study of the 1931 Epidemic in New York City. 1934.

[6] Cites as source for Table 1, “Poliomyelitis Cases and Deaths in Texas: 1930-39,” “Adopted from George W. Cox, M.D., Texas State Health Officer, to Don W. Gudakunst, M.D., Medical Director, NFIP, June 23, 1940. Women’s Activity Records, Texas, 1940-1945, March of Dimes Archives, White Plains, New York.”

[7] Page 28, comparing 1916 to 1931, by age groupings.

[8] Of or having to do with the pharynx or throat.

[9] Actually chest muscles.

[10] Identical text in 2001 and 2008 editions. Both cite for further reading: John Fitch Landon, Poliomyelitis: A Handbook for Physicians and Medical Students Based on a Study of the 1931 Epidemic in New York (NY: Macmillan, 1934); and John R. Paul, A History of Poliomyelitis (New Haven & London 1971).