Terrible Typhoid Mary

Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook In America

By Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Narrated by Donna Postel

Listening length: 3 hours 20 minutes 

Published August 4, 2015

My review: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Read for my March 2023 Reading challenge, prompt 8: less than 300 pages/less than 6 hours. 

What happens when a person's reputation has been forever damaged? This riveting biography of Mary Mallon by the Sibert medalist and Newbery Honor winner Susan Bartoletti looks beyond the tabloid scandal of Mary's controversial life. How she was treated by medical and legal officials reveals a lesser-known story of human and constitutional rights, entangled with the science of pathology and enduring questions about who Mary Mallon really was. How did her name become synonymous with deadly disease? And who is really responsible for the lasting legacy of Typhoid Mary?

I have really been enjoying my non-fiction books lately, this is the story of the person behind the terrible name "typhoid-Mary." 

Before the laws that protected our health information, before the germ theory was commonly known and believed thing, epidemics were widespread and deadly. While we may not see much of it here, thanks to vaccines, typhoid still kills hundreds of thousands of people per year and back in the years before the vaccine was widely available (not to mention running hot water and sanitation), typhoid was rampant. We've all heard the name "typhoid Mary" but did yo know she was a real person? A real woman who carried the typhoid virus but was not symptomatic.

 
She was actually the first person in the US "discovered" with non-symptomatic typhoid. Meaning she carried (and could spread) the virus, but wasn't sick. Unfortunately, Mary distrusted science and the medical community. When an epidemiologist wanted samples for his research into an outbreak, she fought against him. He eventually went to the New York Health department and convinced them she was a danger to public health. This is a story you are going to have to read (or hear) to believe! It is worth the listen though. Short story but something I think anyone in the health or community health area or work needs to listen to.

The Surgeon's Daughter

Women's work is a matter of life and death.

Nora Beady, the only female student at a prestigious medical school in Bologna, is a rarity. In the 19th century women are expected to remain at home and raise children, so her unconventional, indelicate ambitions to become a licensed surgeon offend the men around her. Under constant scrutiny, Nora's successes are taken for granted; her mistakes used as proof that women aren't suited to the field.

Everything changes when she allies herself with Magdalena Morenco, the sole female doctor on-staff. Together the two women develop new techniques to improve a groundbreaking surgery: the Cesarean section. It's a highly dangerous procedure and the research is grueling, but even worse is the vitriolic response from men. Most don't trust the findings of women, and many can choose to deny their wives medical care.

Already facing resistance on all sides, Nora is shaken when she meets a patient who will die without the surgery. If the procedure is successful, her work could change the world. But a failure could cost everything: precious lives, Nora's career, and the role women will be allowed to play in medicine.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I have been waiting to read this book since finishing The Girl in His Shadow. This story follows Nora as she goes to Bologna, to medical school. Being the only woman in a male field puts her right in the light for scrutiny and as the description puts it "her mistakes used as proof that women aren't suited to the field." Nora pushes to prove herself and earn her license to practice surgery.

The cases that are discussed in this book, the ones that the fictional character Nora helps with, are based on real cases. That makes the drama all the more real. I felt like I was right there next to her, witnessing history.

I found this an amazing historical story. To imagine the things they used to have to do to bring children into the world (and the other things they had to endure in the name of "practicing medicine!) I love how the author wove the real stories of history into the fantasy of this imagined character. She felt like a real person to me and I love her!

A few quotes I found that I loved: 

"The law cannot change behavior,” pronounced Mrs. Russell. “Nor will it alleviate poverty.”

Unless we try to find ways for ourselves, there won’t be any. 

In the shadows, in the woman’s realm—that is where life happens. 

“If is a terrible word.” He cut her off. “Let’s not use it.”

Accounting is dismal at the best of times and especially now, but your sound decisions will always outweigh your mistakes.

"The pain will be felt in its full power, no matter how long you have kept it at bay."