What were ways to deal with poliomyelitis in the 1930's?

Answer 1

After polio is contracted speeding up recovery is usually the response although there is no cure - hence the reason the polio vaccine is so important.

If the virus enters the bloodstream a range of symptoms can be exhibited. In 1% of cases it enters the Central Nervous System. It destroys motor neurons leading to muscle weakness. Different types of paralysis occur. Spinal polio is the most common.

Relief of symptoms rather than a cure (there is none) is the focus for people who contract it. Antibiotics are used to prevent infection, pain meds, physical therapy, corrective shoes, and orthopedic surgery.

Some types of polio result in complete recovery. With spinal polio if the nerve cells are destroyed paralysis is permanent. Most cases of polio result only in temporary paralysis. Recovery occurs naturally within 6 - 8 months.

Answer 2

It was painfull. The dotors wold pull out blankets out of pots with boiling water in them, waited until they were just below skin-burning temperature, and put them on your legs!