Mary Mallon Spreads Typhoid Across New York City - Drunk History

Summary

The video humorously recounts the story of Mary Mallon, better known as Typhoid Mary, an Irish immigrant cook in early 1900s New York who unwittingly spread typhoid fever. Despite being asymptomatic, Mary infected wealthy families across the city, leading Dr. George Soper to track her down. After resisting accusations, Mary was quarantined twice, spending over 20 years in isolation. The script combines historical facts with humor, highlighting Mary's denial, the public health challenges of the time, and ultimately her notorious legacy as America's first known asymptomatic carrier of typhoid.

Takeaways

• 👩‍🍳 Mary Mallon, also known as Typhoid Mary, was an Irish immigrant working as a cook in New York around 1900.
• 🍦 Her signature dish, vanilla ice cream with peaches, became very popular among wealthy families through word of mouth.
• 💉 Several families, including one in Oyster Bay, contracted typhoid fever, leading to the investigation by Dr. George Soper.
• 🔎 Dr. Soper suspected Mary was the source of the typhoid outbreak, but she refused to believe it, even chasing him off with a fork.
• 🦠 Despite showing no symptoms herself, Mary was an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid and was unknowingly spreading the disease.
• 👮‍♀️ Authorities quarantined Mary on North Brother Island for three years after it was confirmed she was responsible for multiple outbreaks.
• 🤝 Mary was eventually released after promising to never cook again, but five years later, she was found cooking under a false name in a hospital where another typhoid outbreak occurred.
• 🚨 She was sent back to North Brother Island, where she remained in quarantine for 23 years until her death in 1938.
• ⚕️ After her death, an autopsy revealed live typhoid bacteria in her gallbladder, confirming her role as an asymptomatic carrier.
• 🧼 The story of Typhoid Mary highlights the importance of hygiene, especially handwashing, and the potential dangers of asymptomatic disease carriers.

Q & A

Who is Typhoid Mary?

Typhoid Mary is the nickname for Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant who became the first asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever in the U.S. She unknowingly spread the disease while working as a cook.

What was Mary Mallon's signature dish mentioned in the script?

Mary Mallon's signature dish was vanilla ice cream with sliced peaches, which became popular among wealthy families.

How did Dr. George Soper initially connect Mary Mallon to the typhoid outbreaks?

Dr. Soper connected Mary Mallon to typhoid outbreaks by tracing her employment history. Seven out of eight families she had cooked for contracted typhoid, which led him to suspect her as the source.

Why was Mary Mallon resistant to the accusations against her?

Mary Mallon was resistant to the accusations because she had no symptoms of typhoid fever and believed she was being unfairly blamed as an Irish immigrant trying to survive in New York.

What was the turning point that led to Mary Mallon’s quarantine on North Brother Island?

The turning point was when health officials gathered enough evidence linking Mary to multiple typhoid outbreaks. Despite her protests, they forcibly quarantined her on North Brother Island after confirming she was an asymptomatic carrier.

What promise did Mary Mallon make when she was first released from quarantine?

Mary Mallon promised health officials she would no longer work as a cook and would wash her hands thoroughly to prevent spreading typhoid.

What led to Mary Mallon’s re-arrest in 1915?

Mary Mallon was re-arrested after a typhoid outbreak at Sloane Maternity Hospital, where she had returned to cooking under the alias 'Mary Brown.' This violated the conditions of her release.

How long did Mary Mallon remain in quarantine after her re-arrest?

Mary Mallon remained in quarantine for 23 years on North Brother Island after her re-arrest in 1915, until her death in 1938.

What did doctors find when they examined Mary Mallon’s body after her death?

After Mary Mallon’s death, doctors found live typhoid bacteria in her gallbladder, confirming that she had been an asymptomatic carrier throughout her life.

What legacy did Mary Mallon leave in medical history?

Mary Mallon became infamous as 'Typhoid Mary,' the first documented asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever. Her case highlighted the need for better understanding of disease carriers and public health measures.