Poliomyelitis, the years before vaccination. A reading through art.

introductionWriting the history of polio - or of any disease - requires more than a clinical account of its causes, symptoms, and progression. It also demands an exploration of how illness is experienced by individuals and interpreted by society. Beyond defining disease as a biological dysfunction, it is essential to consider the patient’s lived experience, shaped not only by personal suffering but also by cultural frameworks that influence how that suffering is understood and expressed. Equally important is the societal lens through which illness is viewed and contextualized.

objectiveThis article focuses on a pivotal chapter in the history of polio: the era preceding the advent of vaccines in the mid-twentieth century. Its aim is to illuminate not only the medical dimensions of the disease but also the collective emotions it evoked - fear, grief, and hope - in response to a condition that could lead to death after a prolonged and agonizing course, often leaving survivors with lasting impairments.

methodsTo capture the depth of human response to polio, the article draws upon a rich tapestry of artistic expression, including literature, photography, and painting.

conclusionThrough these mediums, they seek to reveal the most authentic reflections of the human soul, underscoring art’s unique ability to convey the emotional truths of illness.