Ridiculous Remedies: 7 Strange Treatments for Childhood Diseases Before Immunizations

It's National Immunization Week (April 20-27) here in the US, part of the World Health Organization's larger World Immunization Week (April 24-30). According to the Centers for Disease Control, "During WIW, all six WHO regions, including more than 180 Member States, territories, and areas, will simultaneously promote immunization, advance equity in the use of vaccines and universal access to vaccination services, and enable cooperation on cross-border immunization activities," all in the fight to end childhood disease around the world. The CDC notes, "Through immunization, we can now protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two." They add, "Routine childhood immunization in one birth cohort prevents about 20 million cases of disease and about 42,000 deaths." 7 of the most common childhood diseases now preventable by vaccine are listed below, along with the homeopathic, sometimes strange and often ineffective ways people tried to treat them. We've come a long way, baby! - By Carolyn Castiglia

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