Albert Sabine developed a polio vaccine in 1961.  He is also known for his
research on breastmilk and polio.  His study was written up in the Journal
of
Pediatrics in 1962 that showed that human colostrum and mature breastmilk
have very strong antiviral activity against the polio virus.  One might ask
why breastfeeding was not promoted and instead the emphasis was placed on a
vaccine.  But this discovery was in the
early 50's and the practice of breastfeeding was at its lowest point.
Breastmilk is still considered by microbiologists to inactivate certain
strains of polio in vitro and in vivo.  I found this discussion of his work
in the American Academy of Family Physicians (1950):
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001115/afp.html

"Recently Dr. Albert B. Sabin of the Children's Hospital Research Foundation
of Cincinnati reported a most interesting discovery which may perhaps be the
key to the solution of a terrible problem. What Doctor Sabin has found is a
substance in the milk of about 75 percent of mothers and in the milk of an
occasional cow, which will protect a baby from polio anywhere from one month
to 340 days after birth.
This discovery can explain why in those parts of the world in which the
mothers nurse their babies for three or four years, small children do not
get
paralyzed.
When the substance from the milk is mixed with the virus of polio and
injected into the brains of mice, none of the animals get paralyzed.
Everyone
will watch with great interest for further reports on this substance in
milk.
(September 1950)"

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