The Louisiana State Medical Society kicked off a statewide polio vaccination program today with the reminder that Louisiana is still among the top 10 states in the frequency of polio cases in proportion to the population.
The society cited Louisiana Department of Health figures to back up its war against polio, which reaches its highest incident during warm months.
DR. H, ASHTON THOMAS,
\ president of the society, said | the drive will begin immedi-! ately.
Dr. Thomas estimated about
500,000 residents of the state received Salk vaccine during last year's vaccination drive, conducted by parish and district medical societies under direction of the state society.
Dr. Philip H. Jones, who heads a society committee on Salk vaccine, said the number of new polio cases in Louisiana reached an all-time low during the past summer because of vaccinations. The Louisiana Department of
Health said only 169 cases of polio were reported in 1957 compared to 608 in, 1956. The number of paralytic, cases dropped from 414 in 1956 to 74 in 1957.
Dr. Jones said Louisiana is lagging, however. He said the state is still among the top 10 states in the frequency of polio cases in proportion to the popu-
