Medicine

This image depicts a normal brain as opposed to a brain damaged from lack of oxygen

Dr. Jonas Salkgave a lengthy interview toEdward R. Murrowto explain how his polio vaccine would work.

Dr. Jonas Salk and his team developed a polio vaccine at a time when children were dying of the illness. Declared safe and effective, in 1955, the vaccine has mostly eradicated the illness throughout the world...except where the vaccines are not available to be given.

When we breathe, oxygen gets into our bodies. How does it travel from our lungs to other places, like the brain?

October 23 is "World Polio Day." Step back to a time when Boards of Health issue warning signs to guard against contracting polio in the early 20th century. Then children, responding to the new March of Dimes campaign, flood the White House with their coins.

Prince Albert (the future George VI, called "Bertie") had "knock knees." The medical professional had apainful wayof dealing with that condition in the early 20th century. To undergo knee straightening, a persons legs were actually tied (using an excruciating method) to the splints.

It's September, 1928, when Alexander Fleming sees something unusual in a culture plate. What he found changes the infection-fighting world, going on to save millions of lives.

Worried about his own future, and his lack of patients, Dr. Fred Banting had an idea during the middle of the night. What he thought about led to the discovery of insulin, saving millions of lives in the ensuing years.