Passive Immunization Against Poliomyelitis: The Hammon Gamma Globulin Field Trials, 1951–1953
Charles R. Rinaldo, Jr, PhD
Charles R. Rinaldo Jr is with the Departments of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology and Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pa.
FIGURE 1——Injection of 10 cc of gamma globulin was a painful experience, as shown here in an Associated Press photograph that appeared with the October 23, 1952,New York Timesarticle describing the Hammon clinical trials in Houston.
FIGURE 2——October 23, 1952,New York Timesarticle on the report presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association in Cleveland on the effectiveness of gamma globulin in the 1952 Hammon clinical trials. The photograph of Hammon is modified from an October 23Pittsburgh Post-Gazettearticle.
FIGURE 3——February 23, 1954,New York Timesarticle on the report by the review committee of the "failure" of prevention of poliomyelitis by widespread use of gamma globulin in the summer of 1953.
FIGURE 4——September 9, 1954,New York Timesarticle on the Rome poliovirus conference, describing Hammon’s report that gamma globulin was effective in the 1953 epidemic and Salk’s report that the inactivated vaccine was proving effective in his 1954 trials. The article stressed that "[i]n contrast with gamma globulin, which gives temporary immunity . . . the Salk vaccine is designed as a permanent protection."
