Polio Challenges Staff Just Returned from War
Muskegon hospitals joined the nation in responding to the polio epidemic in the 1950s.
U.S. doctors reported 57,879 cases of polio in 1952, the highest number ever recorded.
Polio is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, caused by tiny virus particles that attack the gray matter of these areas.
Hackley Hospital lost one of its own physicians during the local outbreak. Dr Clement F. Derezinski, 37, died at the hospital on Aug. 8, 1949, after a three-day battle with polio. The father of seven was a World War I veteran and in the days leading up to his illness, he had responded to a rising number of calls despite not feeling well. He continued treating patients until three days before his death.
"This comes as a great shock to us ... we've lost one of our valued members," Dr. James L. Gillard, president of the Muskegon County Medical Society, was quoted in a story in the Muskegon Chronicle. "We were proud of him.
"He was a doctor who suffered right along with his patients. His loss will be keenly felt within our ranks."
Newspaper accounts in late 1949 described how iron lungs were rushed to Muskegon to aid polio patients. An iron lung cost about $1,500 and served as an artificial breathing aide, allowing patients to obtain rest and relief.
"We were all outside waiting for its arrival," said Dr. Clay Tellman, who practiced medicine from 1949 to 1982. "That was impressive."
Irene Baker, who graduated from Hackley School of Nursing in 1936, recalled that nurses were desperately needed during the polio epidemic.
"My kids were little, so I worked three days a week from 3 to 11 p.m.," she said. "Wherever they needed me, I worked."
Hackley Hospital purchased the latest in modern physiotherapy equipment, including a whirlpool, posture mirror, massage tables and infrared lamps, to aid its polio convalescents as a gift from Alberta C. Vanderwerp, in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John D. Vanderwerp.
In 1955, a vaccine developed by Jonas E. Salk of the University of Pittsburgh became available. An oral vaccine later was developed by Albert Sabin of the University of Cincinnati.
Muskegon physicians, nurses, teachers and health department personnel all joined forces to combat the polio epidemic, according to Tellman. The medical society used $50,000 from its own funds to purchase the vaccine, charging $1 per person.
"The oral vaccine was very successful," Tellman said. "We vaccinated 97 percent of the county.
"You paid $1 only if you could afford it."
Reprinted with permission from the Muskegon Chronicle
