Stuff You Missed in History Class

Tracy shares issues she has with overly reductive internet videos that misrepresent the story of nixtamalization. She and Holly also discuss the various ways they like to eat corn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode on the pellagra epidemic focuses on its prevalence in the U.S. in the early 20th century. Some of the scientific work done to understand it involves self-experimentation, and some of it is ethically problematic by today’s standards. Research: Akst, Daniel. “Pellagra: The Forgotten Plague.” American Heritage. December 2000. https://www.americanheritage.com/pellagra-forgotten-plague Baird Rattini, Kristin. “A Deadly Diet.” Discover. Mar2018, Vol. 39 Issue 2, p70-72. Bridges, Kenneth. “Pellagra.” Encyclopedia of Arkansas. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/pellagra-2230/ Clay, Karen et al. “The Rise and Fall of Pellagra in the American South.” National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper 23730. 2018. http://www.nber.org/papers/w23730 Cleveland Clinic. “Pellagra.” 07/18/2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23905-pellagra Crabb, Mary Katherine. “An Epidemic of Pride: Pellagra and the Culture of the American South.” Anthropologica , 1992, Vol. 34, No. 1 (1992), pp. 89-103. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25605634 Flannery, Michael A. “’Frauds,’ ‘Filth Parties,’ ‘Yeast Fads,’ and ‘Black Boxes’: Pellagra and Southern Pride, 1906-2003.” The Southern Quarterly. Vol. 53, no.3/4 (Spring/Summer 2016). Gentilcore, David and Egidio Priani. “Pellagra and Pellagrous Insanity During the Long Nineteenth Century.” Mental Health in Historical Perspective. Palgrave Macmillan. 2023. Ginnaio, Monica. “Pellagra in Late Nineteenth Century Italy: Effects of a Deficiency Disease.” Population-E, 66 (3-4), 2011, 583-610. Hung, Putzer J. “Pellagra: A medical whodunit.” Hektoen International: A Journal of Medical Humanities. https://hekint.org/2018/09/18/pellagra-a-medical-whodunit/ Jaworek, Andrzej K. et al. “The history of pellagra.” Dermatol Rev/Przegl Dermatol 2021, 108, 554–566 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2021.114610 Kean, Sam. “Joseph Goldberger’s Filth Parties.” Science History Institute Museum and Library. https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/joseph-goldbergers-filth-parties/ Kiple, Kenneth F. and Virginia H. “Black Tongue and Black Men: Pellagra and Slavery in the Antebellum South.” The Journal of Southern History , Aug., 1977, Vol. 43, No. 3. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2207649 Kraut, Alan. “Dr. Joseph Goldberger & the War on Pellagra.” National Institutes of Health Office of NIH History and Stetten Museum. https://history.nih.gov/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=8883184 Marks, Harry M. “Epidemiologists Explain Pellagra: Gender, Race and Political Economy in the Work of Edgar Sydenstricker.” Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences , JANUARY 2003. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24623836 Morabia, Alfredo. “Joseph Goldberger’s research on the prevention of pellagra.” J R Soc Med 2008: 101: 566–568. DOI 10.1258/jrsm.2008.08k010. Park, Youngmee K. et al. “Effectiveness of Food Fortification in the United States: The Case of Pellagra.” American Journal of Public Health. May 2U(H). Vol. 90. No. 5. Peres, Tanya M. “Malnourished.” Gravy. Southern Foodways Alliance. Fall 2016. https://www.southernfoodways.org/malnourished-cultural-ignorance-paved-the-way-for-pellagra/ Pinheiro, Hugo et al. “Hidden Hunger: A Pellagra Case Report.” Cureus vol. 13,4 e14682. 25 Apr. 2021, doi:10.7759/cureus.14682 A. C. Wollenberg. “Pellagra in Italy.” Public Health Reports (1896-1970), vol. 24, no. 30, 1909, pp. 1051–54. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/4563397. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025. Rajakumar, Kumaravel. “Pellagra in the United States: A Historical Perspective.” SOUTHERN MEDICAL JOURNAL • Vol. 93, No. 3. March 2020. Savvidou, Savvoula. “Pellagra: a non-eradicated old disease.” Clinics and practice vol. 4,1 637. 28 Apr. 2014, doi:10.4081/cp.2014.637 SEARCY GH. AN EPIDEMIC OF ACUTE PELLAGRA. JAMA. 1907;XLIX(1):37–38. doi:10.1001/jama.1907.25320010037002j Skelton, John. “Poverty or Privies? The Pellagra Controversy in America.” Fairmount Folio: Journal of History. Vol. 15 (2014). https://journals.wichita.edu/index.php/ff/article/view/151 Tharian, Bindu. "Pellagra." New Georgia Encyclopedia, 20 September 2004, https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/science-medicine/pellagra/. University Libraries, University of South Carolina. “A Gospel of Health: Hilla Sheriff's Crusade Against Malnutrition in South Carolina.” https://digital.library.sc.edu/exhibits/hillasheriff/history-of-pellagra/ University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Pellagra in Alabama.” https://library.uab.edu/locations/reynolds/collections/regional-history/pellagra Wheeler, G.A. “A Note on the History of Pellagra in the United States.” Public Health Reports (1896-1970) , Sep. 18, 1931, Vol. 46, No. 38. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4580180 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The devastating pellagra epidemic in the early 1900s highlights the dangers of nutritional deficiencies linked to corn consumption in impoverished communities. The podcast dives into the historical ties between Italian immigration and dietary shifts in the U.S. It unpacks the 'Three Ds' of pellagra—dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia—and emphasizes the importance of niacin. Listeners will learn about traditional nixtamalization and the socio-economic factors fueling this often-overlooked disease, while enjoying light-hearted anecdotes about pets intertwined with serious discussions.

Discover the fascinating story of Coxey's Army, the first protest march on Washington led by Jacob Coxey in the 1890s. Delve into their fight for job creation during the economic turmoil of the Panic of 1893. Explore how Coxey's vision for infrastructure reform sparked conversations about labor rights and social justice that resonate today. Uncover the challenges faced by marchers and the mixed reactions from the public as they advocated for change. Finally, learn how Coxey's ideas laid groundwork for future economic reforms like FDR's New Deal.

Discover the whimsical world of spite houses and their historical significance, revealing how personal grudges can inspire unique architecture. Delve into the mysterious childhood of Robert Morris and the challenges of historical narratives. Explore the implications of modern building codes on homeownership dreams and the ethical concerns surrounding early American financial practices. The podcast also highlights the complexity of legacy and the nuanced stories that shape our understanding of history.

Dive into the fascinating story of Robert Morris, the overlooked founding father and financial architect of the Revolutionary War. Discover his crucial role in funding the war while navigating controversies and accusations of profiteering. Explore the impact of the Stamp Act on colonial resistance and how Morris's banking innovations sought to stabilize the early American economy. Finally, learn about his dramatic rise and fall, culminating in a congressional investigation and imprisonment for debt, painting a complex portrait of early American finance.

Discover the quirky world of spite houses, built to settle scores and express grievances. Uncover the story of the Macabre Spite House, where family rivalry fueled extravagant construction. Dive into the tragic tale of Charles Froehling’s spite house, shaped by land disputes and entwined with a neighbor’s poignant history. Explore how unique buildings like those created by Dr. John Tyler and John Hollinsbury serve as fascinating reflections of social dynamics. Learn how creativity and conflict collide in these extraordinary structures.

Dive into lesser-known historical protests and legal battles in this engaging exploration. Discover the bravery of young activists during a 1939 sit-down strike at a segregated library. Uncover the daring 'sip-in' by the Mattachine Society, fighting against discriminatory alcohol policies. Explore the complex journey of Indigenous fishing rights in the Pacific Northwest and the impactful activism of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. Learn about the birth of ACT UP and its urgent demands during the AIDS crisis, shaping essential advocacy movements.

Dive into the whimsical world of hydroponics and the curious practice of horse flipping! Enjoy humorous tales of indoor gardening adventures and the amusing misunderstandings that come with it. Reflect on the complex ethics of horse ownership during tough financial times, while also recalling nostalgic connections to childhood toys like My Little Pony. Plus, hear poignant stories about the challenges of metastatic breast cancer treatment intertwined with heartwarming holiday memories.

Dive into the Great Epizootic of 1872, a devastating horse flu that wreaked havoc across North America and the Caribbean. Explore its origins, rapid spread through transport networks, and the chaos it caused in cities reliant on horses for daily life. Discover how this crisis spurred advancements in veterinary medicine and public health, alongside the amusing contradictions of dubious treatments. Plus, enjoy a heartwarming family recipe that transitions from the seriousness of animal health to the joys of baking!