This is the story of Typhoid Mary, a lady who suffered despite of committing no mistake. Let's see why....
Mary Mallon , born Sept 23, 1869 in Cookstown, Ireland , seemed to be a healthy lady. She was a cook by profession. She was accused to be the reason behind typhoid outbreaks in the US. It is said that she had infected 51 people , 3 of whom died in her career as a cook. She had no idea of why all this was happening , and so she decided to fight back. She died after spending nearly three decades in isolation.
In 1906 summer break, Charles Henry Warren wanted to go for a vacation with his family. They rented a home in Oyester Bay, Long Island. They hired Mary Mallon as cook. After some days, Warren's daughter became ill with typhoid fever. Following this, Warren's wife , maid and gardener also became ill with the same disease. Warrens were afraid that they would not be able to move any further without finding out the cause. The Thompsons ( from whom Warens rented their house ) hired George Soper, a civil engineer who was expert in this field.
Soper investigated the case and had a doubt on Mary. He called for Mary's work history. And yes, he was right. There were cases of typhoid earlier in homes where Mary worked as a cook. A girl even died of this. Soper was sure that this could not be a coincidence. But now what he needed was 'Proof'. So , he went to the place where Mary was currently working. He accused her of being a cause of typhoid outbreaks and asked for blood samples. Mary, enraged by this , threatened Soper with a fork knife and told him that he was unwelcomed.
Soper gave the charge of the investigation to Herman Biggs. Biggs sent Baker to talk to Mallon. Mallon was taken to a hospital in New York where the samples were taken. And the result was - Typhoid bacilli was found in her stool. Mary was soon held without trial, though she had not broken any laws. She was actually a healthy carrier of the 'Typhoid disease -i.e. a person who seems to be healthy but can cause many diseases. Mary was soon released on the condition that she would change her occupation. Mary was set free.
5 years later......
There was a typhoid outbreak in New York. Around 25 people were ill and one of them died. The accused was Ms. Brown , a cook. Ms. Brown was actually Mary, who was using a different name.Mary was sent to an isolated cottage and spent 23 more years in isolation.
In December 1932, Mary suffered a stroke and was left paralysed. She was shifted to Children's ward, where she stayed for 6 years until her death on 11th Nov, 1938.
Mary Mallon , born Sept 23, 1869 in Cookstown, Ireland , seemed to be a healthy lady. She was a cook by profession. She was accused to be the reason behind typhoid outbreaks in the US. It is said that she had infected 51 people , 3 of whom died in her career as a cook. She had no idea of why all this was happening , and so she decided to fight back. She died after spending nearly three decades in isolation.
In 1906 summer break, Charles Henry Warren wanted to go for a vacation with his family. They rented a home in Oyester Bay, Long Island. They hired Mary Mallon as cook. After some days, Warren's daughter became ill with typhoid fever. Following this, Warren's wife , maid and gardener also became ill with the same disease. Warrens were afraid that they would not be able to move any further without finding out the cause. The Thompsons ( from whom Warens rented their house ) hired George Soper, a civil engineer who was expert in this field.
Soper investigated the case and had a doubt on Mary. He called for Mary's work history. And yes, he was right. There were cases of typhoid earlier in homes where Mary worked as a cook. A girl even died of this. Soper was sure that this could not be a coincidence. But now what he needed was 'Proof'. So , he went to the place where Mary was currently working. He accused her of being a cause of typhoid outbreaks and asked for blood samples. Mary, enraged by this , threatened Soper with a fork knife and told him that he was unwelcomed.
Soper gave the charge of the investigation to Herman Biggs. Biggs sent Baker to talk to Mallon. Mallon was taken to a hospital in New York where the samples were taken. And the result was - Typhoid bacilli was found in her stool. Mary was soon held without trial, though she had not broken any laws. She was actually a healthy carrier of the 'Typhoid disease -i.e. a person who seems to be healthy but can cause many diseases. Mary was soon released on the condition that she would change her occupation. Mary was set free.
5 years later......
There was a typhoid outbreak in New York. Around 25 people were ill and one of them died. The accused was Ms. Brown , a cook. Ms. Brown was actually Mary, who was using a different name.Mary was sent to an isolated cottage and spent 23 more years in isolation.
In December 1932, Mary suffered a stroke and was left paralysed. She was shifted to Children's ward, where she stayed for 6 years until her death on 11th Nov, 1938.
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