In the 19th century, typhoid was a widespread epidemic from which one in ten infected people died. The infectious disease typhoid was caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica. Hygiene conditions were often appalling, which provided ideal conditions for the epidemic to spread. As typhus was long considered incurable – with symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, fever and impaired consciousness – those who fell ill were placed in quarantine. One of them was Mary Mallon, who, however, showed no symptoms whatsoever. Mary Mallon was the first person in the United States to be identified as an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever. Mary Mallon was a so-called ‘chronic carrier’ who, between 1900 and 1907, whilst working as a cook in various households in New York City and on Long Island, infected nearly two dozen people with typhoid fever without realising it. The whole affair came to light after six people in an eleven-member household in Oyster Bay fell ill with typhoid in 1906. The head of the household subsequently commissioned George Soper, a public health engineer from the New York City Department of Health, to investigate the outbreak. His months-long investigation eventually led him to the 37-year-old cook Mary Mallon, whom he was able to link to 22 cases of typhoid fever. Typhoid had broken out shortly after Mary had worked as a cook in each of these households. Today, typhoid can be easily treated with a vaccination, but back then it was one of the eight worst and deadliest epidemics, which is why those carrying the disease were isolated from society. Suspecting that Mary was the mysterious source of the typhoid outbreaks, the public health officer George Soper visited her in March 1907 at her new job as a cook in a suburban house in Westchester County to take samples from her. But instead of welcoming Soper, Mary brandished a carving knife and refused to provide samples of her urine, stools or blood. Her right to privacy, however, soon became irrelevant when it became clear that Mary had presumably passed the typhoid pathogen on to guests and staff without ever falling ill herself. Five police officers and a doctor arrived to take Mary to a New York hospital. There, tests confirmed that, although she showed no symptoms whatsoever, she was carrying Salmonella Typhi, the bacterium that causes typhoid fever. The term ‘chronic carrier’ was coined as a result of her case. Mary had cooked for eight families, seven of whom were affected by typhoid – a total of 51 cases of typhoid and three deaths were later attributed to her.
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
Isabella Mueller (crime writer)
