Thursday 10 November 18:00 - 19:00

Gresham College
Barnard's Inn Hall
Holborn
London
EC1N 2HH

Tickets Unavailable

Polio: A Cultural History

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Polio has a major role in the cultural history of the West.

Polio has a major role in the cultural history of the West. The early symptoms – which were often mild flu-like symptoms – would end in paralysis. Vaccinations against the disease proved controversial, given their trials on incarcerated prisoners and the use of “poster children”.

Epidemics of the disease illustrate the uneven transmission of ideas about health and sickness. They show how the period's germ theories resulted not only in mass deaths, but also in the demonisation of immigrants and poor households.

A lecture by Joanna Bourke

This event is also available to watch live online. To register, visit: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/polio-history

Gresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/support/

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