Dr. Oshinsky will focus on the frightening rise of polio in 20th century America, its revolutionary impact on both philanthropy and medical research, and the dramatic quest for a vaccine between competitors Albert Sabin and Jonas Salk. The national crusade against polio remains one of the great success stories in the annals of medical history.
Cincinnati played a vital role in the battle against polio. Dr. Albert Sabin came to Cincinnati Children's Hospital in 1939. After World War II, Dr. Sabin started work on developing a vaccine for polio. He developed his oral, "live"Â vaccine, administered initially on a lump of sugar or in a teaspoonful of syrup. It was tested in Russia, Mexico, Japan and other foreign countries. Then the first United States test was held on "Sabin Sunday,"Â on April 24, 1960.
The Cincinnati History Advisory Board of Cincinnati Museum Center selected Dr. Oshinsky as its 10th Distinguished Historian. The event-sponsored by Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc.-on April 26 will begin with a reception and dinner. Following his lecture, Dr. Oshinsky will sign copies of his book. Tickets for the reception, dinner and lecture are $60. Admission to the lecture only is $15.
Dr. Oshinsky is George Littlefield Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin. A leading historian of modern American politics and society, he is also the author of A Conspiracy So Immense: The World of Joe McCarthy and Worse Than Slavery: Parchman Farm and the Ordeal of Jim Crow Justice, both of which won major prizes and were New York Times Notable Books. -- www.cincymuseum.org
Posted February 22nd, 2007 by ruzik_tuzik
