Dr. Jonas Salk began taking blood samples from recently paralyzed polio patients to determine antibody types
On Jun. 12, 1952, Dr. Jonas Salk went to the D. T. Watson Home for Crippled Children (now…
Lewis L. Coriell appointed field director for the Polio Prevention Study
In 1951, Lewis L. Coriell whose history in polio research began during his residency at Children’s Hospital of…
Dr. Jonas Salk and his team began using Enders’ methods to grow poliovirus
In 1951, Dr. Jonas Salk and his team began using Dr. John F. Enders’ methods to grow poliovirus,…
Audrey Smith reported the use of glycerol cryoprotectant for red blood cells
In 1950, physician Audrey Smith reported the use of glycerol cryoprotectant for red blood cells. In 1969, Smith…
Dr. Jonas Salk began classifying more than 100 strains of poliovirus
In 1949, Dr. Jonas Salk, with grants from the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, the Pitt team and…
The Priestley Medal was awarded to Edward R. Weidlein
In 1948, the American Chemical Society awarded the Priestley Medal to Edward R. Weidlein “to recognize distinguished services…
President Roosevelt swore in Thomas Parran, Jr. as U.S. Surgeon General
On Apr. 6, 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt swore in Thomas Parran, Jr. as U.S. Surgeon General. Parran was…
Maurice Brodie and John Kolmer test polio vaccines, with disastrous results
In 1935, Maurice Brodie, a research assistant at New York University, attempted to produce a formaldehyde-killed polio vaccine…
The Priestley Medal awarded to Edgar F. Smith
In 1926, the American Chemical Society awarded the Priestley Medal to Edgar F. Smith ‘for his numerous contributions…
The Priestley Medal was established by the American Chemical Society
In 1922, the Priestley Medal, named for Joseph Priestley, was awarded for first time by the American Chemical…
By the end of the influenza epidemic, Philadelphia had suffered 748 deaths per 100,000 people
In 1919, by the end of the influenza epidemic, Philadelphia had suffered a terrible cost of 748 deaths…
New Orleans officials declared the epidemic over
By Nov. 18, 1918, with New Orleans’s business and schools once again back to their normal operations, local…
New York City tallied 147,000 cases of influenza and pneumonia
By Nov. 16, 1918, the New York influenza figures overall, from September 15 through November 16 – the…
Pennsylvania health officials lifted influenza closure orders
On Oct. 28, 1918, after a decline in the explosive influenza case numbers, Pennsylvania health officials lifted closure…
Baltimore Health Commissioner allowed churches, retail stores, movie houses, theaters, poolrooms, and lodges to reopen
On Oct. 26, 1918, Baltimore health commissioner Blake decided to allow churches, retail stores, movie houses, theaters, poolrooms,…
Over 3,500 Bostonians had died from influenza or resulting pneumonia since the epidemic began
By Oct. 15, 1918, over 3,500 Bostonians had died from influenza or resulting pneumonia since the epidemic began….
Influenza cases in Philadelphia increased by over 3,000 new cases, overwhelming medical facilities
By Oct. 7, 1918, influenza cases in Philadelphia had risen by over 3,000 new cases, overwhelming medical facilities….
Pennsylvania State Health Commissioner mandated state-wide closure for public amusement venues
On Oct. 3, 1918, state Health Commissioner Dr. Franklin B. Royer, witnessing the growing epidemic across Pennsylvania, issued…
Large Philadelphia parade of 200,000 people led to large spike in influenza cases
On Sept. 28, 1918, Philadelphia participated in a large parade of about 200,000 people, which led to a…
The Philadelphia Board of Health made influenza a mandatory reportable disease
On Sept. 21, 1918, the Philadelphia Board of Health made influenza a mandatory reportable disease, as the epidemic…
Rabies vaccine was first licensed in the U.S.
In 1914, rabies vaccine was first licensed in the U.S. The H. K. Mulford Company, founded in Philadelphia…
Fox Chase Cancer Center was founded as the nation’s first cancer hospital
In 1904, Fox Chase Cancer Center was founded by the union of American Oncologic Hospital and the Institute…
First African-American woman licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina
In 1897, Matilda Evans, M.D became the first African-American woman licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina. In…
The H. K. Mulford Company became the first commercial producer of diphtheria antitoxin in the U.S.
In 1895, the H. K. Mulford Company, founded in Philadelphia, became the first commercial producer of diphtheria antitoxin…
The Wistar Institute, the nation’s first independent biomedical research facility, was founded
In 1892, The Wistar Institute, the nation’s first independent biomedical research facility, was founded and is the namesake…
The original building of the Wistar Institute was constructed
In 1892, the original building of the Wistar Institute was constructed, and today still a part of the…
Louise Lulu Fleming became the first African American to attend The Women’s Medical College in Philadelphia
In 1891, Louise Lulu Fleming became the first African American to attend The Women’s Medical College in Philadelphia.
JE Hanger Co enterprise expanded with offices in St Louis, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Philadelphia
In 1890, J.E. Hanger Company enterprise expanded with offices in St. Louis, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. James…
Susan La Flesche Picotte, MD became the first American Indian woman in the U.S. to receive a medical degree
On Mar. 14, 1889, Susan La Flesche Picotte, MD became the first American Indian woman in the U.S….
U.S. Congress passed The Margarine Act of 1886
On Aug. 2. 1886, the U.S. Congress passed the Oleomargarine Act which among other things, directed the Secretary…