Dr. Seema Yasmin, a clinical assistant professor at Stanford and former Epidemic Intelligence Service officer, uncovers the harrowing tale of Typhoid Mary, Mary Mallon. She discusses her unexpected role as a 'healthy carrier' of typhoid, leading to her isolation and the societal implications of public health versus individual rights. The conversation dives into the stigma surrounding disease carriers, the ethics of quarantine, and the legacies of such historical figures, making parallels to contemporary health issues.
41:02
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Difference Between Isolation and Quarantine
Isolation separates those who are sick from the healthy to prevent disease spread.
Quarantine restricts movement of people exposed but not symptomatic, balancing public health and civil liberties.
insights INSIGHT
Asymptomatic Carrier Stigma and Bias
Mary Mallon was one of the first known asymptomatic typhoid carriers but was treated differently than others like her.
Social factors such as gender, immigrant status, and occupation influenced the harshness of her confinement.
insights INSIGHT
Stigma Shapes Disease Response
Typhoid was stigmatized as a filthy disease of the poor and immigrants.
Mary Mallon's identity as an Irish immigrant woman fueled blame and harsher treatment.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Shift is the second book in the Silo series by Hugh Howey. It enriches the story of Juliette by telling the backstory of Donald Keene, the architect of the silos, and reveals the truth about the men who created World Order Operation Fifty (WOOL). The book consists of three novellas: First Shift, Second Shift, and Third Shift, each providing a different perspective on the catastrophic events that led to the creation of the silos. It connects Juliette to Donald and sets up the premise for the next novel in the series, Dust. The story spans a significant amount of time, exploring themes of philosophy, human nature, and the consequences of technological advancements[1][3][4].
In 1906, a New York health department investigation into an outbreak of typhoid fever led to the discovery that a cook, Mary Mallon, was an unsuspecting ""healthy carrier"" of the deadly bacteria. This discovery forever altered Mallon’s life, thrusting her into a national spotlight as the infamous ""Typhoid Mary.""
In this episode, Lindsay is joined by Dr. Seema Yasmin, clinical assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University and former Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. Dr. Yasmin discusses how Mary Mallon became a target of public health authorities and a symbol of the clash between individual rights and public safety.
Listen to American History Tellers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-history-tellers/ now.
American History Tellers 
