The field trials for this approach occurred in close approximation to the growing
awareness in the mid-1930s of the experimental studies. Armstrong, in November 1936,
read before the Southern Branch of the American Public Health Association at their Fifth
Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, “The Experience with the Picric-Alum Spray in
the Prevention of Poliomyelitis in Alabama, 1936” (14). He stated that in the absence of
any established, practical method for preventing human infection with poliomyelitis, it
seemed that the experimental evidence justified a trial of the method in man. With this
view in mind, the appearance of poliomyelitis in Alabama in 1936 afforded an
opportunity to carry out such a field trial. As per usual custom, following a conference
between state and federal administrators, the latter decided to offer the method for
application in the affected area.
For the purpose of orienting the practicing medical community, the State Health
Department supplied each physician in Alabama with a résumé of the experimental
studies carried out to that time, including instructions as to the preparation and
application of the solutions.*
According to Armstrong, the résumé emphasized and made clear that the evidence
for the protective action of the proposed spray was based entirely upon animal
experimentation and was not to be considered of proven value in the prevention of
poliomyelitis in man. Armstrong also indicated that the Surgeon General of the United
(^) *
solution (0.85 per cent). Turbidity may be removed by filtering one or more times through some filter paper^ (11) Solution A. Dissolve 1 gram of sodium alum (sodium aluminum sulfate) in 100 cc of physiologic salt
or Berkefeld filter. Solution B. Dissolve 1 gram of picric acid (c.p.) in 100 cc of physiologic salt solution (0.85 percent).
(Warming will facilitate solution.) Mix equal amounts of Solutions A and B. This gives a 0.5 percent solution of each ingredient, which is
stable, and it is this mixture which is to be dispensed. On the appearance of cases of poliomyelitis in the community, spray the nose thoroughly once daily on
alternate days for 3-4 applications, then once weekly The spray should be directed upward toward the top of the head. thereafter for the duration of the poliomyelitis season.