MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories Medical Mysteries - "Blood Feast"
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Mar 27, 2025 In 1944, a dinner at an Oregon mental hospital turns tragic as over 300 patients fall critically ill. Was it a food safety issue or something more sinister? The story dives deep into the life of a cook grappling with guilt and the consequences of that fateful meal. With systemic failures and the intense pressures faced by medical staff, the investigation unfolds like a chilling thriller. Themes of accountability and mental health support are interwoven as the horrifying truth is sought.
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The Oregon State Hospital Incident
- In 1944, an Oregon State Hospital doctor found the morgue and chapel overflowing with deceased patients.
- Over 400 patients had fallen violently ill after dinner, and dozens had died, prompting a desperate search for the cause.
Dinner Preparation
- Cook Mickey McKillop and patient George Nosen prepared dinner for 500 patients.
- Due to wartime staff shortages, patients like George, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, assisted in the kitchen.
Outbreak of Illness
- Patients began exhibiting symptoms like vomiting blood, seizures, and paralysis after eating.
- A nurse's attempt to help a choking patient revealed the alarming presence of blood in the vomit.