MEDICAL MYSTERIES

You've heard of a disease called Typhus or Typhoid Fever.  It was a big time killer up to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Unlike what we have right now (COVID-19), Typhus is a bacterial problem instead of a viral one.   It is like what we hear today are outbreaks of salmonella.  It is most often caused by poor sanitary conditions and practices related to food processing.  The symptoms are gastrointestinal in nature.  If caught early enough, we have plenty of antibiotics to defeat it.  Of course, that was not the case over 100 years ago.

Near the turn of the century, doctors were honing in on what causes this malady.  Outbreaks were spotty; six here all in one family, eight there all living together, and twelve more in another neighborhood.  The researchers were searching frantically for a key.  They had a test to determine if someone had the bacteria in their system but no clue as to how it got there.

Finally, in the New York City area, a doctor determined that these small outbreaks were following a cook who worked for wealthy families and changed jobs often.  She was an Irish immigrant and, when tested, showed no signs - no symptoms - no bacteria related to the disease.  How could she be the one?

She was quarantined for a while and then released with the prevision she not work as a cook.  She eventually changed her name and again took jobs as a cook.  The disease followed her.  She was arrested and put back into quarantine for the rest of her life.  She had caused the sickness of hundreds and the death of many.   A postmortem showed that even though her urine and stool tested negative, she had the bacteria in her gall bladder.  She was totally asymptomatic but still a carrier.  Her name was Mary Melon.  She will forever be known as "Typhoid Mary".

Don't be "COVID Carol" or "Wuhan Willy" - quarantine as requested!  Keep your distance!  This too shall pass.
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