The grit behind the miracle : a true story of the determination and hard work behind an emergency Infantile Paralysis Hospital, 1944-1945, Hickory, North Carolina

cover image

Where to find it

Health Sciences Library — Books (3rd floor)

Call Number
WC 28 AN8 S6174g 1998
Status
Available

North Carolina Collection (Wilson Library)

Call Number
C362.1 H629s
Status
In-Library Use Only

Authors, etc.

Names:

Summary

In 1944, the people of North Carolina faced a polio, or infantile paralysis epidemic which received attention throughout the United States. In The Grit Behind the Miracle, Alice E. Sink tells the extraordinary story of an emergency polio hospital that was built, equipped, and in operation within fifty-four hours in Hickory, North Carolina.

Contents

  • Preface p. v
  • Part I Reunion: Polio Survivors Gather for Their First Meeting in Fifty Years
  • Chapter 1 News of a 50th Reunion p. 1
  • Chapter 2 A Beautiful Day p. 3
  • Chapter 3 "The Miracle of Hickory" Relived p. 11
  • Part II Historical Events
  • Chapter 1 Epidemic p. 23
  • Chapter 2 A Race Against Death p. 29
  • Chapter 3 Emergency Infantile Paralysis Hospital p. 39
  • Chapter 4 Fear and Panic p. 53
  • Chapter 5 Spirit of Service p. 63
  • Chapter 6 Regardless of Economic Status, Age, Sex, or Race p. 73
  • Chapter 7 Late Summer p. 77
  • Chapter 8 Progress to Restored Health p. 85
  • Part III Personal Stories
  • Chapter 1 Shelby and Clara Sigmon p. 103
  • Chapter 2 Eubert Sigmon p. 109
  • Chapter 3 The Dalton Sisters: Alice and Agnes p. 115
  • Chapter 4 Worth Younts p. 121
  • Chapter 5 Sarah Hunt p. 125
  • Chapter 6 Samuel Jolley p. 129
  • Chapter 7 Betty Sink p. 133
  • Chapter 8 Addie Flowers p. 139
  • Chapter 9 Robert Hudson p. 143
  • Chapter 10 Margaret Benbow p. 147
  • Chapter 11 Nurse Frances Allen Remembers the Polio Epidemic p. 155
  • Part IV After Hickory
  • Chapter 1 The Move to Charlotte p. 161
  • Chapter 2 Aftermath p. 181
  • Chapter 3 Epilogue p. 189
  • Appendix Angels of Mercy p. 191
  • List of Patients Transferred to Charlotte p. 195
  • Poem p. 197
  • Notes p. 199
  • Index p. 213
  • About the Author p. 223

Other details