Apathy and Polio We Americans were generous when we contributed millions of dollars to fight paralytic polio. We were triumphant when, after years of research, our scientists developed a vaccine against it and the number num-ber of cases dropped 47 last year. Now we are shocked to hear that, according to a recent re-cent estimate, 58 million Americans under 40 who should get this simple, effective protection have neglected to do so. What is the word for this neglect? Polio authorities, like the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, call it apathy. The dictionary defines ppathy as "lack of interest" inter-est" or "indifference." But can anybody afford to be indifferent about polio? When it strikes it leaves ruin in its wake crippled bodies, bod-ies, disrupted homes, wage-earners unable to go on with their chosen work. Indifference in the fact of this kind of risk is folly. Better roll up your sleeves and vaccinate before it's too late.