From the Bookshelf of Matheson Tigers Read…

[close] This is an interesting historical account of typhoid fever and Mary Mallon, Typhoid Mary. It gave good information about the different people that played a role in finding Mary Mallon. One person was George Soper, an engineer that helped create sanitation that could slow down the spread of the Typhoid disease. He was well know and frequently called upon to help track down the source of the typhoid epidemic. Sara Josephine Baker was also an interesting person to learn about. When her father dies she knows she must support the family and so takes the money that she has and enrolls in medical school. At the time it was a very courageous move on her part since very few women were doctors. This is a well written account that gives the reader a good background for further inquiry on typhoid and medicine at the turn of the century. (less)