#TBT: Elvis Presley received a polio vaccine on live TV to inspire young Americans to do the same...
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00:00♪♪
00:20The tender years of its usual victims made the disease all the more horrible.
00:25These little ones didn't have a chance.
00:27♪♪
00:41This was the face of a killer, more deadly than any FBI public enemy.
00:45Here magnified 77,000 times was the dreaded crippler,
00:49the scourge of mankind for centuries, the death-dealing virus of polio.
00:53♪♪
01:06Few diseases are capable of causing as much terror
01:10in the hearts and minds of fathers and mothers as infantile paralysis,
01:15not only because from 10 to 30 out of each 100 victims are liable to die,
01:21but likewise because an epidemic of the disease
01:25leaves a trail of large numbers of pitifully crippled individuals
01:30greatly handicapped for the balance of life.
01:33♪♪
01:48I wish to express heartfelt thanks to all of you
01:53who have contributed your dimes and your dollars
01:56to further the fight against a cruel disease,
02:00a disease which strikes primarily against little children.
02:04♪♪
02:13And then the joyous news.
02:15Dr. Thomas E. Francis of the University made the announcement
02:18that the Salk vaccine had proved itself to be safe,
02:21effective, and potent in preventing polio.
02:24♪♪
02:44To Dr. Salk and thousands of his fellow researchers,
02:47we truly owe the strength and sturdy limbs of our future young generations.
02:52♪♪
03:21♪♪
03:47Because of the success of the polio vaccine,
03:51development of vaccines came to be seen by the public as a priority.
03:56Great strides were made protecting babies, children, and adults
04:02from many other deadly and disabling infectious diseases.