Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

Page 16 text:

SOMERVILLE HIGH’S SHOT SESSION Dorothy Shubow ’57 I had graduated from Somerville High a few years ago and was visiting some of my teachers when I noticed this boy and followed him down the stairs. I saw that his sleeve was rolled up. He had a funny look on his face, as if he were nervous and anxious. Fi- nally he arrived at a door where other boys and girls were waiting in line. The smell of alcohol filled the air. When I managed to peek inside I noticed nurses and doctors all in the process of administering inoculations to these pupils. I had extra time so I waited until the last pupil filed out. Then I walked over to one of the nurses, and asked her to explain what the inoculations were for. It was then that I found out that Somerville High is one of the many schools playing its part in the destruction of polio. But there was much more I wanted to know. I enjoyed a very interesting conversation with Mrs. Cahalan, one of our school’s nurses, and learned much about polio that I didn’t know before. Each year thousands of young people of high school age are stricken with this dread disease. Polio will continue to cripple and kill teenagers as long as there are unvacci- nated teenagers for the virus to attack. To- day plenty of Salk vaccine is available, but vaccine on the druggist’s shelf does not pre- vent polio. It must be injected into your arm to do any good. The injection which is nearly painless takes only three seconds. The first shot begins to take effect in from seven to ten days. The second shot is given two to four weeks after the first, and brings a sharp rise in protective antibodies. For long-lasting immunity, a third or booster shot must be given seven months later. Recently over 1,000 adults, teenagers, and young children were hit by polio in the Chi- cago epidemic this past summer. Of that number, not a single paralyzed person had received three shots of Salk vaccine. This does not mean that the Salk vaccine has con- quered polio. Thousands of doctors all over the country are now, at this moment, work- ing on a better cure for polio. Already Dr. Hilary Koprowski nf the American Cyana- mid’s Lederle Laboratories has been develop- ing a new kind of vaccine that can be taken through the mouth. So, you see, polio is not conquered yet, but we now know that its control is possible, and as more and more peo- ple are vaccinated, the rate of paralytic polio will steadily diminish. As I walked out of Somerville High, quite satisfied with my visit here, I began think- ing about what the nurse had told me. Before I knew it, I had changed my course to visit my family physician and ask him if I might get these polio shots. The nurse con- vinced me. How about you? THE WHITE PLAGUE Joan Berry ’56 Ed. Note: Annually the Christmas Seal drive, sponsored by the National Tubercu- losis Association, helps to aid TB patients in hospitals and also furnishes money neces- sary for further research in the long effort to stamp out the disease. The following ar- ticle was written by one of last year’s gradu- ates who was stricken with TB while in high school. Naturally she wanted to warn others about the treachery of the first stages—of how quietly and painlessly the tuberculin germ can get started in anybody’s system. Since the paper was received from Joan too late for our final issue last spring we decided to publish it this year. The incidence of TB in Somerville is said to be high. Already this years, one of the seniors has had to leave school to receive the hospital treatment re- quired. Written at the hospital, Waltham, May, 1956 by Joan Berry ’56 The tubercle bacillus is the very prevalent tuberculin germ carried in the lungs of every human being. It remains inactive as long as the body resistance is kept up, but as soon as the resistance drops the germ has its chance to take over. If able to take hold, it usually, though not necessarily, infects the lungs first. If not detected in time, tuberculosis can spread to every living organ. (Turn to page 22) Eight

Page 15 text:

for luncheon. Among those seated at the head table were Miss MacPherson and Bev- erly Conn, who was awarded the N.E.S.P.A. Scholarship two years ago. Following lunch, Mr. Bice Clemnow, pub- lisher of the West Hartford News and East Hartford Gazette, spoke to the convention on the subject of “Communications Throughout the World. Mr. Baram awarded prizes to the outstanding magazines, newspapers and yearbooks. The Radiator and the 1956 Year- book were cited for “Outstanding Content and Make-Up.’' After this closing session, many delegates boarded the chartered buses which took them to the B.U.-Syracuse game, at Boston University Field. CHRISTMAS Rosalyn Perrone ’57 Since the fourth century, Christmas has been observed by the Christian Church on the twenty-fifth of December to celebrate the Nativity of Christ. Although the origin of its practice is un- known, scholars believe that it is derived in part from the pre-Christian rites of Ger- manic and Celtic tribesmen held in celebra- tion of the winter solstice, the point at which the sun is farthest from the equator. The exclusive devotional observance has become interspersed with a number of heathen customs such as the use of holly, mistletoe, Yule logs, and wassail bowls. The Christmas tree is of ancient origin, tracing back to the Romans of pre-Chris- tian times from which it spread to the Ger- man people and then to the people of the British Isles. The singing of Christmas Car- ols by waits, out-of-doors on Christmas Eve, is an old English custom. The sending of gifts had its origin in the Yule gifts of northern European countries and ancient Rome. In later times Christmas celebrations ac- quired a wide secular and social significance which has featured the sending of Christmas cards, a custom originating in 1850. The early Dutch settlers brought to the New World the custom of celebrating St. Nicholas, Santa Claus Day, on Christmas Eve. The foregoing is but a brief history of Christmas which brings us up to the present day. What does Christmas mean to you? The majority of people think of Christmas in terms of Christmas trees, presents, tasty food with all the trimmings. As a matter of fact, some families com- mence preparation weeks in advance. Actu- ally there is nothing wrong with this, but how many people stop to consider the true meaning of Christmas? The birth of our Lord was the most im- portant one of all time. If we are to make any preparation, we should prepare our hearts for the Infant Jesus on His day. On Christmas morn, we should all attend the church of our choice and offer up a birth- day greeting such as a humble heart, thanks for mercy he has given us, a forgiving spirit with which He has blessed us, and grati- tude for many blessings such as peace of mind.. Merry Christmas to all, and remember: Do not leave Christ out of Christmas. Seven

Page 17 text:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hildegarde Kushner ’57 Excitement was high at the Jameson house. The family was preparing for a birthday. Ted, the oldest boy, was sixteen. He had just received his license and was itch- ing for a chance to try the wheel. So, off he went. Mrs. Jameson was out in the kitchen put- ting the finishing touches on the cake. “New, let’s see, a few sprinkles here, and a few more there. Oh yes, let’s not forget the candles. Ted, where are you? Where did you put those candles? Gosh. I can never keep up with that boy! He is always rushing around.” Mr. Jameson was in the living room put- ting up the last of the decorations. “One streamer here ought to finish the job. I wish Ted were here to help me. With his speed we could be through in no time.” Sisters Sue and Joan were upstairs in their bedroom dressing for the party. “Hurry up. Joan, you lazy thing, or you’ll be late for the party.” “I'll be there in a second; just as soon as 1 get this darn dress on. It’s too tight.” “Well, no wonder it’s tight; you didn’t even loosen the belt. I’ll bet that you’d even forget your head if it weren’t permanently attached.” “Where’s Ted? If he doesn’t hurry, hell be late for his own party. “Don’t worry about him, Sue. With his speed he could be back in five minutes before the party starts and still be ready for it on time.” The doorbell rang. “Can that be a guest already? Ted isn’t even back yet! Oh, it’s Sue, Ted’s girl. Come on in, Sue.” “Hi, Mrs. Jameson. Hope I’m not too early. Can I help with anything?” “Well, you’re right on time, and if you really want to help, you can put these candy dishes out in the living room. Mr. Jameson should be through in there by now.” The doorbell rang again. This time it was the Martin boy and his girl friend. Soon everyone was there, sitting and talking in the living room. A car stopped out in front of the house. Steps came slowly up the walk. “Everyone hide,” said Mrs. Jameson, “and don’t come out until I tell you to.” “Why, hello, Sheriff. Come in. We’re just waiting for Ted to come home.” “Sit down, Mr. and Mrs. Jameson; I have something to tell you.” The Sheriff looked down at the floor un- easily. Groping for the right words, he finally sadly said, “This is about your son, Mr. and Mrs. Jameson . . “Why, what are you trying to tell us, Sheriff?” “Your son’s car struck a tree on Route 42. Ted was thrown clear.” In a choked voice he continued, “It was all over quickly. Ted was killed instantly.” The silence which followed was broken by sobs. Someone said, “He’s not coming. Ted won’t ever know that we wanted to wish him ‘a very happy birthday,’ ... or will he?” Nine