Medicine and Public Health - Diorama of modern doctor's office (Francis Rigney)

Mystery of Route 77

The NYPR Archive Collections | Jan 1, 2000

The exact date of this episode is unknown. We've filled in the date above with a placeholder. What we actually have on record is: 1955-uu-uu.

Milton Cross narrates another chapter in the Story of Empire County. Brought to you by the New York State Department of Health and produced by State Radio Bureau. Two lane road off the beaten track. Nothing significant ever happened along Route 77.

One afternoon in early Fall. The narrator introduces us to Dr. Bell and Dr. Westlake. Three cases of diphtheria, "the choking death of childhood," have broken out and Dr. Bell brings him the anti-toxin.

Bell notices that all the cases are along Route 77 and suspects that the ice cream vendor is a carrier. His tests came out positive; he had a subclinical case of diphtheria. The outbreak is under control, and there is a campaign to immunize all children.

[The Story of Empire County aired in 1955.



Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection


WNYC archives id: 8352
Municipal archives id: LT1877

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