Investigators
Who first investigated the Oyster Bay typhoid outbreak and tracked where the cook had worked?
George Soper
Name one city action mentioned that helped reduce typhoid cases (for example: clearing garbage or improving what?).
Cleaned streets of garbage/sewage or improved safe drinking water/sanitation.
What job did Mary Mallon do in the homes described in the readings?
She was a cook
What is the name of the bacteria that causes typhoid (as named in the text)
Salmonella typhi.
What method did George use in homes to test whether drinking water came from a contaminated source (he used a colored liquid for this)?
He put colored dye in the toilet and flushed to see if the drinking water changed color (dye test)
What could New York City health inspectors do if someone with typhoid would not stay home?
Order them to stay home or send them to a quarantine hospital (enforce quarantine)
Name one symptom of typhoid described in the text.
Headache, fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps (any one).
What two scientists or public figures from the readings are connected to early ideas about germs and handwashing? (Name both.)
Ignaz Semmelweis and Louis Pasteur (and Joseph Lister is also mentioned regarding instrument cleanliness).
What evidence did George Soper use to link Mary Mallon to multiple outbreaks (name one type of evidence he gathered from families where she worked)?
He found that in every home where Mary worked, someone had gotten typhoid (pattern of linked outbreaks) — also he collected dates/places of employment.
In 1907, why was testing people’s blood, urine, or feces important for disease control? Give one short reason based on the readings.
Because typhoid bacteria can be present even when someone feels fine; testing could identify carriers spreading disease.
How long could recovery from typhoid take in the early 1900s (give the range in weeks mentioned)?
Two to six weeks.
The readings describe a common route that spreads typhoid. What is the name for this route?
The fecal-oral route
After finding Mary at the Park Avenue house, George asked for samples. Name two types of samples he requested to test for typhoid.
Blood, urine, and feces (stool).
What public program did Dr. Josephine Baker lead that helped lower child death rates in New York City?
She led New York City’s bureau of child hygiene (programs: vaccination, free milk, baby care education).
What happened in 1915 that suggested Mary may have returned to cooking despite her promise?
A typhoid outbreak at a maternity hospital where a new cook had been hired; 25 doctors and nurses got sick and two died.
What year did scientists develop a vaccine for typhoid (year given in the excerpt)?
1911
Describe the pattern George discovered when he traced Mary’s work history that convinced him she was likely a carrier (use 1–2 sentences).
He discovered that in every home Mary had worked over about ten years, that household later had typhoid — there wasn't a single exception, indicating she likely spread the bacteria while appearing healthy.
Explain in one sentence what “quarantine” meant on North Brother Island for people like Mary Mallon.
Quarantine meant isolating a person on North Brother Island away from the public to prevent spreading contagious diseases.
Why were many people in the 1900s suspicious or ashamed about having typhoid (give the social belief mentioned in the second document)?
Many people believed typhoid was a disease of the poor or unclean homes; having it felt shameful and suggested poor hygiene.
Explain, in one sentence, how an “asymptomatic carrier” can cause outbreaks even if they do not feel sick.
An asymptomatic carrier carries and sheds the bacteria (for example in feces) without showing symptoms, so they can contaminate food or water and make others sick.